Maya Puyat

I am inspired by objects and events from my childhood. The subjects I draw from come from a place of nostalgia and are usually memories that have brought me joy. Some recurring objects in my work include a dog character based off of a stuffed animal I’ve been attached to from a young age, as well as cakes which resemble timelessness and celebration. Recently, I’ve been connecting themes from adulthood to childhood such as insecurities or loneliness. I’m exploring the way both stages of life are intertwined with each other while also highlighting their differences.

In the fast paced industry of illustration and animation it’s easiest to work digitally, but I also enjoy working with aqueous media like watercolor and gouache. My palette is bright and colorful because I find that such saturated and rich colors enhance childhood memories. I especially love the range of vibrancy in the colors that I get through digital software.

I want to communicate that it is important to keep in touch with one’s childhood. It’s a crucial period when one learns and develops; the things you learn then shape who you are in adulthood. It’s a time of innocence, comfort, and dreaming big.