Journey of Colours: Majo's Artistic Odyssey from Latin America to The Netherlands

Introducing Majo: From Latin America to The Netherlands, Majo’s journey has been a vibrant odyssey, painted with strokes of creativity and adorned with the colors of diverse cultures. Though her travels take her far and wide, she finds her home wherever her artistry flourishes.

For Majo, painting is synonymous with joy. Whether she’s on assignment or exploring new horizons, she seeks to evoke emotions through the kaleidoscope of colors on her canvas.

Her artwork knows no bounds, resonating with art lovers across the globe. From prestigious art fairs to charitable auctions supporting causes dear to her heart, Majo’s creations have touched lives and inspired hearts.

Now based in Hilversum, The Netherlands, Majo continues to spread her artistic vision, teaching and creating from her gallery at Havenstraat 4. Her reach extends even further through her Instagram Shop and NFTs, connecting with admirers worldwide.

Majo’s artistic journey is a testament to the power of creativity to transcend borders and unite souls in a shared appreciation of beauty and expression

Tell us about the journey that led you to becoming a full-time artist…

My background is actually in Business Administration and Behavioral Economics; I’m what you could say, a numeric person. However, 24 years ago, I decided to pursue my actual passion: Art.

It all started with short courses until I joined Severine Fain’s Art Academy in Amsterdam, where I discovered my love for oil and acrylic, using them to share my stories on canvases.

The first exhibitions I did were collective and solo auctions to benefit various causes such as Habitat for Humanity projects, Japan’s Disaster Relief, and Latin American NGOs focused on helping children and single mothers. My art has a voice, and it was actually helping to support many causes that I feel strongly about.

In Basel, Switzerland, I had the chance to open my own art academy for children and adults, which was probably the biggest leap of faith I took toward becoming a full-time artist.

Life took me to live in Dubai for a few years, and it was there where my artist career experienced exponential growth. Soon enough, I was featured in renowned magazines, museums, biennials, ministries of culture, art fairs, books, and all sorts of huge international events.

All of a sudden, and without planning it, blessings kept knocking at my door, including ventures like getting into NFTs. My art has diversified, and along with it, the exposure and reach of my stories.

Where did your love and interest in art come from?

I have always loved visiting museums and spending more than the normal amount of time on some artworks, examining the strokes of the brushes and the tiny details that mostly escape regular eyes.

I love color, lots of vibrant colors. And I have always been curious about the lives of famous artists and what inspired them when they were creating their artworks. If I don’t know the story, I imagine what it could be.

How do you want people to feel when they see your work?

I have heard many things, but most of those who own one of my pieces say they do so because they feel identified with the emotion. They may have gone through a similar story, or they want to voice a desire.

For anyone interested in becoming a full-time artist, what advice would you offer them?

I would tell them that it is definitely not easy, and sometimes it can be discouraging, but the satisfaction you get from making it on your own is priceless. Continue submitting your work to open calls, check out fairs, and participate in collectives as much as you can. Eventually, the breakthrough will come, and you will savor it when you least expect it.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I really enjoy waking up before the rest of my household and having a few hours to myself with my brush and canvas. Aside from cooking/eating breaks, I try to maintain the discipline of working between my laptop and studio for at least 8 to 10 hours a day. If I’m not traveling to an exhibition, that’s how it goes. Sometimes, I engage in photography, digital art, physical art, and pottery all in a single day, along with handling applications, answering an infinite amount of emails, and by the end of it, I’m exhausted but satisfied.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

Every now and then, I do experience creative blocks. My way of dealing with them is to completely change the channel and read an appealing book. I love reading. By the end of it, not only have I learned something new, but the feeling to return to my paint is back.

My creativity is greatly affected by the stress of deadlines. But with an interesting book at hand, especially one focused on self-improvement, the chances of reducing stress are significant.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media has played a significant role; most of the events and networking take place between Instagram and Facebook.

Our readers love to travel, what destinations are on your must-visit list?

I love traveling, and I do have a bucket list! Haha. My top five future destinations would be Japan, Vietnam, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self-care means taking care of yourself before taking care of everyone else. It means loving yourself as you would love the love of your life, cheering for yourself when you reach a goal, and being sympathetic to yourself when things don’t go as expected. It means never stopping learning how to improve your relationship with yourself.