Inspiring Women – Maïa Faddoul: Colourful Stories And A World Full Of Joy

We’re endlessly inspired by creatives who know how to bring warmth, color, and personality into the everyday. That’s why we’re so happy to welcome Maïa Faddoul, the Montréal-based illustrator and designer behind a joyful visual universe filled with bold palettes, handmade textures, strawberries, stars, and flowers that instantly spark a sense of fun. From collectible prints to collaborations with Skinnydip London, her work feels vibrant, personal, and impossible not to smile at. To begin our journey, we’d love to know more about you. How did illustration first find its way into your life, and how did it grow into the colorful world you’re known for today?

I really think we’re all born curious and creative. My love for art started with animated films and album covers. I studied art in college and never really stopped creating after that. Over time my style evolved, but color and the desire to create joyful work have always stayed at the core. I feel so lucky I get to do this as work!



Across your work, we often encounter a recurring cast of confident women, lush plants, playful animals, and vibrant everyday scenes. When you create freely, what draws you back to these subjects?

My work is closely tied to my values, so I naturally gravitate toward subjects that reflect what I care about. I’m often asking myself what I want to see more of in the world, especially when it comes to representation. That question tends to guide both my personal work and the projects I take on.



Your illustrations have recently expanded into accessories through your collaboration with Skinnydip London. How does it feel to see your visual language translated into objects that become part of people’s daily lives?

It’s been really fun and rewarding! I love the idea of bringing small moments of joy into daily life through color. Seeing people use my work like that feels special, because it becomes part of their routine in a very real way. It also pushes me to think differently about how my illustrations function beyond the screen or page. I’d definitely love to explore more products in the future.



You’ve illustrated over 100 portraits for the book Canadian Women Now + Then, celebrating fearless trailblazers across generations. What did this project mean to you, and how did you approach capturing so many different stories through your visual style?

It was my first large-scale published book, and it aligned perfectly with both my style and values. I learned so much while working on it, especially about these incredible women and their stories. Each portrait felt like a small responsibility to represent someone’s legacy and being part of a project with that kind of historical scope was really special.



Color is such a defining element in your practice. When building your palettes, do you follow an instinctive approach, or is there a deeper structure behind how you compose and balance your colors?

My approach is super instinctive. I take a lot of photos when I travel or in everyday life, and I often build palettes from those moments. I’m drawn to unexpected color combinations that already exist in the world, whether it’s architecture, nature, or small details I notice day to day. It’s really about paying attention and collecting visual references over time. From there, I translate that feeling into my work.



Based in Montreal, your work feels both playful and globally resonant. In what ways does your environment, the city, its seasons, its creative scene,  shape your visual language?

I feel really lucky to live in such a vibrant, creative city. Being surrounded by other artists and teaching young artists keeps me constantly inspired and engaged. There’s a strong sense of community here, which makes a big difference in staying motivated and connected. The seasonal shifts also influence my mood and, in subtle ways, my color choices. It all feeds into my work over time.



Alongside your client work, you actively share tools, templates, and educational content, and teach others through your practice. What drives you to make your creative process so open and accessible?

I strongly believe in making art and design more accessible. There’s so much we can learn from each other, especially online, and I think sharing helps build stronger communities. As a freelancer and educator, I see others in my field more as collaborators than competition. I also know how valuable shared resources can be when you’re starting out. If I can make things a bit clearer or easier for someone else, that matters to me!



Finally, in a world full of references and constant visual noise, how do you stay connected to your own voice, and what would you say to illustrators who are still in the process of discovering theirs?

Artists can feel a lot of pressure to “find their style”,  but it’s true that it really comes from time, experimentation, and life experience. We’re all shaped by different backgrounds and perspectives, and that’s what makes each visual voice unique.. It’s easy to overconsume inspiration online and lose that, so I think it’s important to step back and not constantly look at what others are doing. Try things, follow what excites you, and think about what you actually want to say through your work. It takes time, but that’s part of the process.




We’re beyond happy to have welcomed Maïa Faddoul aboard Captain Don Fisher’s ship and to have sailed for a little while through her joyful, color-filled universe. From playful motifs to vibrant palettes and handmade textures, her work reminds us how much beauty can live within everyday moments. We especially loved hearing about her creative process and the generous way she shares it with others, something we know will inspire many fellow sailors out there.

To our readers, we encourage you to follow Maïa on Instagram and step into her vibrant, joy-filled world. With so many colorful ideas, playful characters, and exciting collaborations still to come, there are surely many more beautiful everyday moments for her to bring to life through her work.

Interview conducted by Agostino Lo Nardo, part of Don Fisher’s crew.