Ed note: You can find more about Maja — her art, teaching and wildlife advocacy at her website https://majasereda.biz/.
Maja Sereda is a multidisciplinary artist who immerses herself in the world of abstraction, fiber arts, and highly detailed drawings. Throughout her life, nature has unfailingly been her refuge, a steadfast source of solace, and an anchor for inner peace.
After studying graphic design at University of Pretoria and working as an art director in advertising agencies, both in South Africa and Ireland, Maja became an award-winning book illustrator. She has illustrated more than 20 books with many major publishers including Penguin Random House, Maskew Miller Longman, Oskar Editeur, Tafelberg & Lapa Publishers. Amongst others, she won the Crystal Kite award in 2011 and the Katrine Harries Award for best illustration for 2010. In 2012, she was also invited to illustrate a book with a French author, Yves Pinguilly titled La Grande Fleur (The Big Flower), followed by an invitation to Salon du Livre fair in Paris, France and La Reunion, where she showcased her books and led art workshops for children.
With the outbreak of COVID, she began teaching drawing classes online. By investing deeply in her students’ work through highly individualized feedback, research and demonstrations, she nurtured an online community of over 250 artists.
Now based in Seattle, with a deep passion for nature, Maja has founded Guardians of the Jungle, a creative project which aims to save endangered wildlife and protect precarious ecosystems.