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A young woman with dark, curly hair tied back in a bun, sitting at a restaurant table, looking to the side. There is a glass of water and a colorful cloth napkin on the table, with a patterned phone case and part of a menu visible. The background shows a large window, a gray building outside, and a parked truck.

About Me

Hi! I’m Maia Bussiere, a high school student and artist. I work across a range of mediums, from charcoal and oil paint to linoleum printmaking and sculpture. Much of my work is inspired by my French and Indian heritage, and I’m always looking to experiment with new mediums and techniques.

My artwork has received regional awards in painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media. Outside of the studio, I’m usually sailing, exploring somewhere new, or sketching whatever catches my attention.

If you’re interested in my work, want to commission a piece, or would like to share feedback, feel free to reach out through the contact section! I’d love to hear from you.

Recent Portfolio

As someone of Indian heritage growing up in America, I have sometimes struggled to feel fully connected to my roots. Over the past year, I began building a portfolio centered on that relationship, using visual art as a way to research, reflect on, and reconnect with parts of my culture.

I started by researching different traditional art forms, patterns, fabrics and accesories, etc. This portfolio focussed on using traditional Indian artistry, which can take these many forms, as a method of immersion in my culture. Through this work, I have created pieces inspired by Warli painting from Maharashtra, Dashavatara art, Kalamkari and the Tree of Life, and traditional forms of mehendi. In creating this portfolio, I was able to explore my heritage in a deeply personal way; as an artist, engaging with my culture through tangible forms of art felt especially meaningful, and allowed me to develop my own artistic style.

Close-up of an artist painting a detailed portrait of a woman with dark hair, using a fine brush to add embellishments and jewelry details on the skin.
A woman with dark hair and glasses is painting a realistic portrait of a woman with light skin, dark hair, and closed eyes on a large canvas. She is wearing a white hoodie. There is a palette of various skin tones and colors on a table nearby. A dog is lying down on a cushion behind her, resting with its eyes closed in a cozy room with wooden floors and furniture.
A person working on a drawing of a horse with colorful details, using colored pencils on a large sheet of paper, surrounded by various art supplies and a smartphone placed on the table.
A woman with dark hair wearing sunglasses and a black top, sitting outdoors and writing in a spiral notebook. Behind her, there is a storefront with colorful toys, plush animals, and clothing items on display.

Acknowledgement: Thank you to my art teachers, Suyeon Ji, Mark Milosky, and Kathleen Byrnes for their support and role in shaping me into the artist I am today


Mission Statement

According to the National Sample Survey Organization, India’s literacy rate among females aged seven and older is 65.46%, compared with 80.88% among males. The impact of education extends beyond literacy: UNESCO reports that each additional year of schooling can increase a girl’s future income by 10–20%. Supporting girls’ education is essential to narrowing the gender gap in India and opening doors to greater opportunities and independence.
As such, all proceeds from my artwork are donated to supporting the education of girls in rural and educationally marginalized communities in India, helping create opportunities for them to discover their own passions and possibilities.

Feel passionately about this cause but don’t feel like buying prints? Thats alright! You can still help.

My education played an integral role in shaping the artist I am today. It was in my elementary school art classroom that I first discovered my passion for creating—a passion that continues to shape who I am. Without those opportunities, I wonder if I would be making art today.

Because education opened that door for me, I believe every child deserves the same opportunity: to explore their interests, discover what they love, and build a foundation for their future. I hope to use my art to help make that possible for others.

“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
— George Washington Carver

$450

Currently donated to Educate Girls India

Two smiling children, a girl in a pink shirt and a boy in a white shirt, are holding colorful cards or papers inside a room with shelves of decorative items in the background.