Maithillee Zaveri, known professionally as “Maithillee,” is an accomplished artist based in Gurugram/Gurgaon, Haryana. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, she pursued her passion for art by obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting from The Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore, in 2011. Since establishing herself in the art industry in 2004, Maithillee has exhibited her work extensively across India and internationally. Her art is renowned for its intricate depictions of Indian architecture in black and white, using mixed media on paper, as well as her serene, colorful, and conceptualized landscapes. Maithillee is also dedicated to giving back to the community. She collaborates closely with NGOs, particularly focusing on helping children who feel there is no future in art. By educating and inspiring them, she demonstrates the various opportunities available in the art world today. She emphasizes that every artist’s journey is unique and that their approach to creating and marketing their work can make a significant difference.
In addition to her exhibitions, Maithillee takes on commission work, creating personalized pieces based on clients’ photographs and preferences. She uses a range of mediums, including charcoal, pen, ink, pencil, watercolors, acrylics, and oils, and the final artwork’s size and material are decided in collaboration with the client. Maithillee ensures each commissioned piece meets her high standards of creativity and craftsmanship.
“Don’t judge, compare, criticize or analyze an artist or their artwork without knowing the story behind their work.”
Her own landscape paintings stand out due to her unique process. She selects and merges 3-4 images or her own photographs to create a cohesive masterpiece. Her vibrant landscapes often feature elements like waterfalls or antique doors, symbolizing peace and tranquility. Maithillee’s fascination with black and white art, especially in depicting architectural monuments, forts, and palaces, began in her teenage years. She believes that black and white art captures the essence of reality, emphasizing texture, tonal contrast, shape, form, and lighting effects. Her dedication to this style allows her to bring the intricacies and craftsmanship of these structures to life. Maithillee asserts that every artist has their own style, and the art industry is not about competition but about quality and creativity. She feels fortunate to have had her family’s support throughout her journey, enabling her to pursue her passion and share her art with the world.
Maithillee believes that an artist must continuously engage in drawing, doodling, and creating artwork. She emphasizes that stopping this creative process can make it difficult to regain motivation. She firmly believes in the power of self-belief, stating that anything is possible if one has faith in oneself. Maithillee acknowledges that while it is easy to copy others’ artworks, creating original pieces is far more challenging and rewarding. She advises against judging, criticizing, comparing, or analyzing an artist or their work without understanding the story behind it. She recognizes the digitalization of the art world and how it has made selling traditional hand-painted works more difficult. The increased presence of self-taught artists has also added to the challenges, making it harder for professional artists to create a niche in the market. Maithillee faced numerous challenges, especially when she began taking commission work. Clients often wanted to see the progress and would request changes, which was particularly difficult when working with fast-drying acrylics on canvas. She learned to work meticulously on each commissioned piece to meet client expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges for Maithillee, as she could not exhibit her works, find clients, or sell her existing pieces. Creating new works and finding storage space became significant issues. Despite these obstacles, she remained hopeful and determined, understanding that success in the art world requires perseverance.
Maithillee developed her unique style over the years and eventually accumulated more than 20 works, which led her to realize the need for her own studio. This marked a turning point in her career, and she began receiving more commission work. She now has a small team that assists with framing and transporting her artwork. Managing her time, space, and team effectively inspired her to become a CEO. Maithillee’s journey as an artist began in the 6th grade when she was certain about her career path, even as many of her peers were still deciding what they wanted to do in life. Her determination paid off when she received her first exhibition offer in 2004 and sold three artworks. This early success was a significant milestone, and she continued to gain recognition, receive commission work, and win awards.
Some of her recent accomplishments include being named “The Top Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2023” by The Great Companies, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the Indian Women Awards for outstanding contribution towards women empowerment in 2021, winning the India 5000 Women Achiever Awards in 2021, and receiving the Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award for Women in 2020. She was also awarded Certificates of Appreciation for her outstanding support and humanitarian work during COVID-19 by Nari Shashtrikaran Sangh in 2020.
“Believe in yourself.
Anything is possible”
Maithillee’s dedication to her craft, her resilience in the face of challenges, and her contributions to the art community and society at large highlight her remarkable journey as an artist and leader. Maithillee believes in the power of self-confidence and resilience. She emphasizes that one should never look down on oneself and must learn to say no when necessary. Having faith and confidence in your abilities is crucial, and being financially independent is a significant aspect of self-worth. Maithillee encourages everyone to recognize their value and potential, reminding them that they are braver and stronger than they might think. She stresses the importance of staying humble and true to oneself, regardless of success, and advises against letting overconfidence take over. Competing with oneself to become a better version is more beneficial than competing with others.
As a CEO and managing director, Maithillee believes it is essential to understand oneself, including one’s strengths and weaknesses. Quick decision-making, risk-taking, commitment, dedication, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm are vital traits for running a business. Her key roles and responsibilities as CEO include ensuring that all works, especially commissioned pieces, are completed and delivered on time. She also ensures that exhibition venues are well-lit and well-presented, with works transported on time and marketed effectively. This includes creating brochures, online promotions, and media outreach, as well as organizing the logistics of the exhibition, such as having visiting cards and arranging for guests of honor and refreshments.
Time management is a core principle for Maithillee. She dedicates seven hours a day to her art and balances the rest of her time with various activities. She is also athletic, enjoying horse riding, badminton, swimming, and gym workouts. Starting her mornings with exercise keeps her active throughout the day. In the art world, networking with gallery owners, curators, art consultants, and other artists is crucial. Maithillee’s artworks speak for themselves, and her goal is to produce more artworks each month, complete commission works on time, and hold more exhibitions both online and in physical galleries across India and internationally. She envisions herself as an internationally renowned artist in the future and aims to establish her own art academy or NGO to educate children about the importance of art and art therapy. She is passionate about giving hope and opportunities to young artists and continues to inspire them through her visits to NGOs and appearances as a guest of honor at school and college competitions.
Maithillee often visits exhibitions and galleries to see what budding artists are creating, which sometimes inspires her own work. This continuous engagement with the art community keeps her motivated and helps her stay connected with current trends and emerging talents.
Social media link: https://www.facebook.com/mnzaveri/ & Instagram: maithilleez89