Story & Lesson Highlights with Maya Nicole of Brooklyn

We recently had the chance to connect with Maya Nicole and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the voice and confident expression that I have found within myself over the years. Being able to speak, create, and engage with diverse audiences is one of my noted strengths. Often, these traits are easily highlighted and complemented by others. They observe me as someone who moves without fear, just vulnerability and fluidity. The confidence is genuine, but I also remember being a very timid and shy kid who struggled when all eyes were on me. There are so many moments that feel relevant to name along my journey. The pipeline from guidance counselor-assisted social time to an emerging artist and thought leader is full. But I am grateful for all the moments that pushed me that much closer to stepping out of my comfort zone. At times, I can still feel the impact of old ways on me as I navigate the world, particularly in terms of human connection, conversation, and community. However, time will continue to be good to me on this journey of becoming me. Sometimes the fear is still there, but it’s no greater than the conviction that my presence holds purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Maya Nicole is a self-taught intuitive artist from New York. She explores emotions, identity, and transformation through layered mixed-media pieces, combining paint, pastel, broken mirrors, gemstones, and other textures. Her work is tactile, sensory, and designed to reflect the human experience—vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery. Her art serves as a medium for transmuting complex emotions, embracing authenticity and empowering others to reflect and connect deeply with their own experiences.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a child, I believed that I was the only person God had a storyline for. I looked at everyone as simple supporting characters, not fully aware that they, too, were going through their own versions of life. The moon seemed to follow me everywhere I went, no matter the time of day or location. I was connecting God’s eyes and presence to the moon. I kept these thoughts to myself mostly because, yes, I had a family full of people, but nobody knew my script anyway. I felt that God was a little too focused on me, and I so desperately wanted to see other perspectives. I believe my early exposure to religious texts heightened my otherworldly imagination at times. Being exposed to the unseen world and its inner workings was already a thought process for me. So in a way, when my mind would wander off, my childish mind found its own validation.. My thoughts on that now have definitely evolved; we’re all so undeniably interconnected. Which is a much more comforting thought process, might I add.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I’d remind her that there is power in being unique. One day, you will be praised for all of the quirks and things that will stand out amongst your peers for the years to come. There is so much to appreciate about being yourself. Rather than looking at others in awe of their uniqueness, admire your own. Meditate on what makes you, you, so no one can come in and unnecessarily influence unnecessary change. Being singled out just means you stand out from the crowd. Like the north star or something.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I believe genuine truths resonate deeply within us. Sometimes, what seems like a fad to one person can be foundational for another; it all depends on what speaks to your spirit. That’s how I determine what matters to me—by paying attention to my inner sense of knowing. When a real foundational shift happens, it shakes you to your core and prompts you to re-evaluate your beliefs. During these moments, you might even seem hypocritical compared to earlier versions of yourself, but that’s a sign of growth—seeing new possibilities. Choices like these have long-term impact and demand deep reflection. Fads, on the other hand, are fleeting and offer only temporary satisfaction, lacking real substance. It’s important to distinguish between the two, as there will always be enticing distractions. The real question becomes, “What does this say about my values? Is it adding to my life or taking away?” In my experience, the kind of artist I want to be is shaped by whether I align with fleeting trends or embrace meaningful, lasting change.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I really love the thoughts that come to mind when I see this question. For one, I’m curious, does this go all the way back to infancy, or does it only start now? If so, there are completely different theories and answers for both. Although my ego instinctively wants to proclaim YES!, that feels dishonest. If you told me tomorrow that my greatest efforts wouldn’t be praised, I’d be pretty upset. As a visual artist and experiential curator, most of my work is partially dependent upon validation. The ideation, strategizing, and building excite me on their own, and I do that for myself. There are times when I am satisfied with enough, and things are never released. My dopamine itch was scratched, and I moved on. Alternatively, I also create projects aimed at hitting the hearts and eyes of others. The dance between selfless giving and self-fulfillment gains momentum. But, aren’t some forms of validation good, even necessary? I bring up infancy because, as newborns, we learn to create validation loops. We cry out for attention, whether it’s hunger, gas, teething, or affection; we learn the basics of cause and effect. Taking it one step further, we even learn early how to manipulate it. When I think about it this way, I believe a desire for praise and validation is a part of our genetic code. This is an idea that I explore within my visual series “Stop Fcking Your Demons (SFYD)” where I explore the relationship between addiction and mental health and the validation loops we find ourselves in for self-soothing. In one’s creative process, I think validation is necessary and inevitable, but it can become problematic when it’s necessary for self-worth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mayanicole.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaaanicole__/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayanicoletheartist

Image Credits
@rosegoldreese
@lynsphotoarchive
@35mm.art
@dzedandres
@aplaceforhealing