Rising Stars: Meet Maxine Hoover of Manhattan, NY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxine Hoover.

Hi Maxine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my journey as a kid when I picked up my first paintbrush. I loved discovering that I could create an amazing image with my own hands, and was instantly hooked! I went on to pursue a career in design, studying at FIT in New York and Politecnico di Milano. After graduating, I was fortunate to work with renowned brands, artists, designers and nonprofits, gaining valuable and diverse experience along the way. While client work is very rewarding, my entrepreneurial spirit guided me to develop my own voice as a fine artist. Networking in the heart of the New York art scene led me to start curating group art shows in Manhattan, connecting and showcasing emerging talents from all generations. In 2024 alone I became known for curating over 20 group shows including the work of emerging and established NYC artists, over half of them focused exclusively on elevating female artists.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its challenges. Balancing multiple projects demands constant adaptability, especially in an industry that is always changing. Finding my own voice as a creative has meant overcoming doubts and staying resilient despite setbacks. However, the lows come with major highs; the satisfaction I get from finishing a piece, hosting a show or sharing a project with the world never gets old.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a fine artist and art curator. As a painter, I explore identity, the human form and the link between the physical and spiritual, often drawing from cosmic and spacey themes. As a curator, I’m known for elevating female artists and creating a gallery community that is inclusive, non-pretentious, and fun, but also upscale, which I think is so important for any creative scene.
One thing that sets me apart from other artists is my medium – I like to use non traditional materials as a canvas. Lately I have been painting larger than life size paintings on giant sails from boats. While I am known for my large scale figurative paintings, lately my greatest inspiration comes from real life experiences. This November, I will be embarking on a 2 week non-stop sea voyage in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with an organization I’ve been involved with, Mars Ocean Analogs- MOA is currently the only organization that focuses on training analog astronauts at sea, and teaches a creative approach to sea and space travel. I look forward to seeing how my art evolves during this voyage. I’ll be using this time at sea to expand my mind, gather inspiration for my new work, all while challenging myself in an isolated, high performance environment.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d love to encourage readers to keep learning and growing, and stay open to trying new things. It’s never too late to start a creative journey. I’m grateful for where I am today because I stayed true to myself and kept my art practice going, but also because I remain curious and am always looking for new ways to grow and learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maxinehooverart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/maxinehooverart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxinehooverart
• Twitter: https://x.com/maxinehoovernyc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maxinehoover

Image Credits
Oveck Reyes (Cover image) Hideki Ono (watermarked images)