We’ve all experienced when something clicks and our life suddenly changes in a small or big way, Maya Penn shares some pivotal moments that prompted her to think how she thinks, live how she lives, do what she does.
Maya Penn
“Everything I do and take on is creative and makes a positive difference.”
You in one word –
Optimistic. Things still feel good even when they feel bad. I live every day knowing there will always be good somewhere in the world.
On you –
I was born and raised in Georgia and it is where my studio is currently based (when I’m not traveling). I also consider myself raised in Charlotte North Carolina as well because I have a lot of family there that I’ve visited often growing up. I always want to use art to make a positive impact on the world, to raise the vibration, and to bring inspiration or awareness to a cause. I do this across all of my passions, from my eco-friendly fashion brand Maya’s Ideas that I started in 2008, to my animation, including in 2016 during the Obama administration when I was asked to animate the opening of the first ever digital report presented to Congress and the report was created to get an American museum of women’s history built in Washington. I’m also a writer and author. I published a book with Simon & Schuster called “You Got This!” about my journey as a young artist, activist, and entrepreneur and my book is now being used in schools as curriculum to teach youth entrepreneurship and giving back through your passion. Everything I do and take on is creative and makes a positive difference.
“A big way I express love is uplifting other people’s passions. People’s passions and dreams are always safe with me. I always want to encourage their love of what they care about because what the care about is who they are.”
On a moment of transformation-
My moment of transformation was the passing of my grandmother while I was preparing for my worldwide TEDTalk in 2013. My grandmother was the centerpiece of my family and a source of strength for me. I was afraid to present myself on a global platform during this vulnerable time in my life. My mom’s encouraging advice to “do it afraid” instilled strength in me and transformed my definition of confidence, and I’ve lived by those words ever since.
A big way I express love is uplifting other people’s passions. People’s passions and dreams are always safe with me. I always want to encourage their love of what they care about because what the care about is who they are.
Going to Kenya in 2016 was a very life changing experience for me, and it’s hard to condense the entire experience into one story, but I vividly remember standing in a field in the Maasai Mara with my mom and dad and seeing a double rainbow on the last day of our trip. It’s moments like that I’ll never forget.
“Change, transformation, and renewal are such significant parts of the flow of nature and coincidentally the process of creating sustainable fashion. It only makes sense for it to be the core of Article 22. ”
On ARTICLE22-
I love ARTICLE22’s theme of transformation on a physical and environmental level as well as a personal and emotional level. Change, transformation, and renewal are such significant parts of the flow of nature and coincidentally the process of creating sustainable fashion. It only makes sense for it to be the core of Article 22. I love the Peace All Around bangle. Language is something that I’ve always had a passion for and something I’ve experimented with my own designs. I think having the word “peace” in 22 different languages all on one piece of jewelry is incredibly powerful. Everything is so gorgeous It was hard to pick, but my personal favorites are the Birthstone Seven Gems Ring and the All Around Jumbo Hoop Earrings. I love hoops and gemstones. I also adore the Love Mother Earth bangle I had the honor of collaborating on.