Maya works on one of her pieces for her upcoming solo show. She often blends colors to get the desired effect for her finished product.

By CHELSEA LOS
Staff Writer

BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington-based young artist is making quite the introduction into the acrylic world. 9-year-old artist Maya Wilson is not new to the world of art — she sold her very first piece at the age of 5.

Her hard work comes with many rewards, including her first piece of commissioned art at age 7. The Herron School of Art and Design and the IPFW art program have both invited Maya to tour and use their facilities. She has been featured in two art shows previously alongside her father’s photography. This will be her very first solo show, and Maya is excited to show her skills.

“I’m not really nervous,” said Maya, “but I’m definitely very excited because I can’t wait to show everyone what this 9-year-old can do.”

Maya’s interest in the arts started in preschool, when she began using crayons for simple drawings. Her father, Cory Wilson, introduced Maya to various paint mediums and sparked a deeper passion. “I started with a lot of drawing, then I moved on to more of a sketching style,” wrote Maya in an email, “My daddy showed me some videos of other people painting in different styles and it really inspired me, so I let my paintbrush take me wherever it wanted to go.”

Maya said her painting began at age 3, but really became serious when she was 4. Her primary mediums are acrylic and tempera on canvas. Her work has been inspired by one of her favorite artists, Gerhard Richter.

Maya uses various tools when creating art, including paint brushes, paint knives and other tools.

Art isn’t always an easy hobby, however. Maya said there are unique challenges that come with creating a beautiful piece she can be satisfied with. “Sometimes, when you pick a color scheme, you really have to be careful with your choices,” wrote Maya, “If you pick too many colors, or the wrong color combinations, it can be really challenging to fix.”

Maya also struggles to find the perfect color at times, often blending colors to get the desired results. Titling her finished work is another challenge, and Maya said she often wants to continue adding to the piece when she is in the “zone.”

“I just want to keep going on a piece…and if you go over it too many times, it will result in disappointment,” said Maya.

Maya said she hopes to continue her passion with painting and the arts as she plans her second solo show. “I hope to keep improving and discover more styles. I already have a second show planned, and hope to be able to have it in a couple years, or maybe even next year,” said Maya. “I’d really like to work with other artists, especially Ting Huang from Indianapolis, who I met last year at the Fourth Street Arts Festival in Bloomington.”

Maya’s first solo show, titled “Richter — A Tribute to a Childhood Muse” will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. The event will be at Space 101 in Bloomington.