Artist Spotlight: Mayera B.

Home » Blog » Artist Spotlight: Mayera B.

Artist Spotlight: Mareya B.
Exploring Identity Through Color, Symbolism, and Self-Discovery

At Sitar Arts Center, we’re proud to lift up young artists whose creativity and self-expression reflect both their personal growth and the world around them. One of those artists is Mareya B., a 17 year-old high school senior who has been drawing, painting, and experimenting with mixed media for the past four years.

Though Mareya first approached art as a hobby, her passion deepened after taking her first formal art class in ninth grade. Since then, her work has earned multiple honors—including recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and a National Society of Arts and Letters Excellence in the Arts Award. Most recently, Mareya’s artwork was featured in both our 14th and 15th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Art Exhibitions, where she was named the People’s Choice winner in the 15th annual show.

We sat down with Mareya to hear more about how her work has evolved, what inspires her artistic voice, and how she’s using art to better understand herself—and connect with others in the process.

Mareya, it’s so great to feature you. Let’s start at the beginning—what first got you into art, and how did it grow into something more meaningful for you?

I began art as a hobby, and it wasn’t until ninth grade that I took my first art class. Over the last four years, my classes have exposed me to various materials and techniques that have helped me highlight aspects of my identity, such as social anxiety, in my creative works.

I’ve also studied art through MICA’s Pre-College Program. In 2023 and 2025, my work received Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and I received my school’s 2024 National Society of Arts and Letters Excellence in the Arts (AEA) Award. Most recently, my artwork was showcased in both last year’s and this year’s Patricia Sitar Juried Art Exhibition.

That’s amazing—and you’ve already received so much recognition for your work. Can you take us back to a moment when you first felt proud of something you created?

In ninth grade, my first major art assignment was to draw a model from observation. I used black Micron pens to build up small scribbles and swirls to create the light and dark highlights of the model’s face and shirt.

That piece felt really significant because it was the first time I saw the depth of my capabilities—and I was recognized for them. I submitted the piece to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and received an Honorable Mention. That moment made me feel proud and helped foster my passion for the arts because I had found a way to express myself.

That early recognition sounds like such a meaningful turning point. Since then, how has your voice as an artist developed—and what makes your work feel uniquely yours today?

My creative works are heavily influenced by various aspects of my identity. I often pull from personal experiences with social anxiety and introversion, and I incorporate articles and current events that resonate with me.

Through my art, I aim to reflect on both myself and the world around me. A common thread I’ve noticed in my work is my consistent use of colors—like purples, blues, and pinks—and the way I often incorporate words into my pieces. These recurring elements help define my artistic voice and make my work feel distinctly mine.

That introspection really comes through in your process. How has your vision as an artist changed since you started—and where do you see it going from here?

In the beginning, my artistic journey started with creating random things that were interesting to me. I used to follow painting tutorials on Pinterest and try out different materials. But after taking my first formal art class, I started to develop more concrete ideas for my pieces.

The class prompts helped fuel my creativity, and now my artwork is rooted much more deeply in my identity and the issues that are important to me. I try to give my pieces meaning and explore more complex concepts. In college, I hope to continue developing my work and create a more cohesive style. I believe the academic experience will help my work become more nuanced and refined.

As you continue to grow your practice, what advice would you give your younger artist self?

I would advise my younger self to embrace experimentation and recognize that not all art needs to be flawless. I often get stuck in my head, fixated on the vision I have for an art piece—and that leads to art blocks because I’m trying to replicate the idea perfectly.

The fear of making mistakes holds me back from committing. To overcome that, I’ve learned to experiment by creating smaller copies of my artwork, which gives me more space to explore and play. I’ve discovered that sometimes, exploration is essential to fulfilling your artistic vision.

That’s really wise—and it sounds like you’re already applying that mindset in your current work. What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m creating a piece for my art seminar class. The assignment was to create something that embodies your life story. I’m designing puzzle pieces that represent different stages of my life—the past, present, and future. Each puzzle piece includes a picture or symbol of something that was meaningful to me during that time.

Together, the puzzle pieces represent the important aspects of my life that have shaped who I am. I’ll also be painting myself assembling the puzzle, which symbolizes the process of self-discovery and growth.

We’re honored to feature Mareya in our Artist Spotlight series. Her thoughtful reflections, bold color palettes, and expressive symbolism make her work stand out—and we can’t wait to see what she creates next.

Stay tuned for more features from our community of young artists.

---