I was born in New York and grew up running and playing on the shores of Long Island. I fell in love with art at a very early age, sitting on my great-grandfather’s lap. He taught me to be an artist through childhood play, encouraging me to finger paint, pour paint, and even throw paint. My great-grandfather’s artistic focus became oil landscapes later in life and he insisted I join him on the journey.
The most important lesson my great-grandfather taught me was to not feel I have to conform to any art form, be it abstract or realism. He taught me to believe I could do both – or any at all – unapologetically. With years of my great-grandfather’s patience, I continued to grow in oil painting and would dive into this creative work whenever I needed an escape from the persistent stress of my Mergers & Acquisitions career.
When my dear great-grandfather suddenly passed away, my love for art faded away…. Well, more accurately, it was violently shoved away. I put my creative ideas aside, treated them like some childish notion, and proceeded to live like a “real” adult. I couldn’t do it without him… Or so I thought.
In my mid-20’s, the love of my life, the person who completes me, came into my life and we made a family with our 4 sons. I never knew being a mother could be so rewarding and wonderful, especially during the baby and toddler years. One by one, though, they all got older and started getting busy with school, tennis, and life. I slipped into a depression hard and fast when the last one went to school. I had built my whole life and joy around my children and suddenly I was home alone, staring at myself in the mirror and asking myself, “Now what!?”
My husband came to me one day with a 24-set of acrylic paints and some canvases and told me he had always wanted to see me paint. He had only ever heard me talk about how I used to paint. I was instantly thrust back to that moment when I was standing in front of the mirror, but this time a little voice inside my head whispered, “This is what.” Now was my chance to start living again and share this intense joy and creative passion with my family. Thanks to my husband, my kids, and all of our family’s support, here I am.
Introducing Maida’s Art Studio