T.CLUB
MAXINE McCRANN
A study in expression, individuality, and finding inspiration in an increasingly saturated world.
How she leaves her mark.
Artist Maxine McCrann approaches creativity with a sense of optimism, instinct, and individuality. Known for her expressive use of colour and emotionally resonant work, her practice explores the intersection of art, feeling, and personal expression. In a world shaped by constant imagery and digital saturation, she reflects on staying connected to her own perspective, navigating trends, and the quiet power of creating something deeply personal.
I have to keep drawing all the time—drawing without judgment, drawing for fun, drawing when an idea comes to me. If I keep creating without letting too much information in, I think I can combat the constant influx of other people’s ideas. I also got a Brick for my phone, which helps a lot. I don’t look at my phone until after I’ve meditated, walked my dog, and done my morning writing and drawing (I know how annoying this sounds), and it sadly does help me a lot. I feel like the door to ideas is most open for me in the morning, and shoving too many photos and videos into my brain first thing really clogs the flow.
“Making art, for me, is a really positive and joyful way to create whatever space I want to be in.”
I think the key is constantly making things. It’s fun to look at other people’s work, admire it, and feel inspired, but for me, I just need to keep brush to canvas and let ideas flow—to remember what I like to create and what comes naturally to me. I think sometimes we feel like we need to wait for an idea to come in order to start making something, but for me, I need to start making something in order for the idea to fully form.
I think these are major themes for me. We’ve all been through tough times and have all felt out of control. Making art, for me, is a really positive and joyful way to create whatever space I want to be in. In the little worlds I create, a tabletop can sit at a 90-degree angle to the ground and still perfectly hold a vase of flowers and olives. There can be a bounty of food on the table, in a place where the weather is always mild and your loved ones are always nearby. It’s so fun for me to imagine these idyllic scenes and think about who might be living in them. Painting them brings me a lot of joy, and I hope they offer a bit of that feeling to the viewer as well.
“The things I draw or paint that feel most personal to me are often the ones others connect to most.”
I think every piece I create is personal to me. I often think about stand-up comics and how they seem to universally agree that the funniest jokes come from the most personal anecdotes—the ones they might have thought no one else could relate to. I feel the same way. The things I draw or paint that feel most personal to me are often the ones others connect to most as well. When you create anything, a piece of you goes with it, and I really think about that when making things for other people. It really is an energy exchange.
I spent so much of my life feeling uncomfortable in clothes in order to look a certain way for other people. I’m so happy to be out of that period of my life. The clothes I own that are made from beautiful fabrics and feel comfortable on my body are the easiest choices for me. I also love wearing a lot of colour and don’t really care about wearing “too much” of it—so if something feels bold and breezy, I’ll throw it on and instantly feel good.
A great shirt is made from beautiful fabric, feels crisp and fresh worn over pants, a skirt, or a dress, and elevates any outfit. I wear a button-down most days of my life and love how differently it works across seasons. I love them because they feel casual enough to wear all day, but a little more thoughtful than a T-shirt in the evening. I just love them.
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MAXINE'S EDIT
