Artist Spotlight: Maitri Sojourner

By Kathie Scrimgeour

Maitri grew up surrounded by art. Her mother was a painter and a potter and, like she was, Maitri assumed all children had access to paints, clay, potter’s wheels, and kilns. Maitri and her twin sister began sewing on their grandmother’s Singer treadle sewing machine, starting with doll clothes and quickly progressing to outfits they would sew on weekends and wear to school on Mondays. As an adult, Maitri continued sewing, but it wasn’t until she retired from state service in 2012 that she truly picked up the pace. She began sewing quilts, creating pictures out of fabric, taking photographs, and painting.

Q - How do you decide on the themes or subjects of your pieces? Is there a particular message you aim to convey?  

A - I am pretty eclectic in terms of subject matter.  I like landscapes and portraiture.  I am mid-project in a fiber series based on the famous Buddhist ox-herding images, which explores the search for self.  Recently I have returned to one of my favorite subjects—bison.

Q- What are your future goals with your work?  

A - I hope to finish my ox-herding series, and keep painting so I can use what I learn as cross-training for other media.

Q - How do you stay motivated and find inspiration, especially during creative blocks?  

A - I call it “seat time”.  You have to put in the time making art, even when you don’t feel inspired.  I have books with colored plates by other artists that I look at to get ideas.  One of my favorite painters is Pierre Bonnard.  I also reward myself by putting a sticker on a calendar, so I can see how many days I am actually in my studio.

Q - What is the greatest reward of your work?  

A - The greatest reward is in the doing.  When I’m in my studio—“Lotus Moon”—time flies and I am in the moment, and enlightened—for a time. The painting that emerges is a miracle, and an afterthought.

Q - How has your membership to SAAG benefited you?  

A –SAAG has something for all artists, from those just starting the journey to those who are selling their work. I especially like the in-person meetings in Oro Valley, and the on-line non-critiques.

Q - Any final thoughts you would like to share with our readers?  

A - In today’s world there are many challenges.  Making art has the magical ability to transform the maker, as well as those who are fortunate to take a piece home and enjoy it over and over.  Real art by real people.  Art saves lives!

To chat with Maitri, catch up with her at SAAG’s meet-n-greet on the 4th Tuesday of every month,Panera Bread on Oracle Rd., 10:00am.

“Orange Bison,” by Maitri Sojourn.