Cool Hunting

by Zeva Bellel

Porcelain artist Maïa designs and hand-paints every incarnation of her delicate china in her Paris atelier. Sourcing plates, vases and more from one of the last remaining artisanal factories in Limoges, France, Maïa’s passion for well-made ceramics carries through to her methods, creating distinct pieces for each client.

The tailored process involves one-on-one meetings at Maïa's Paris apartment and showroom, where she draws on clients’ favorite colors as well as life experiences to create both beautifully made and emotionally potent porcelain. "I need muses to create, and my clients are my muses," the painter explains. Also drawing on her background as a pianist to infuse her work with lyrical shapes, she also looks to breakthrough artists Chagall and Miró for inspiration.

After settling on color, shape and motif, Maïa then puts her 10 years of experience to work, making a sample free of charge (with no obligation to buy). If the customer approves, she returns to her atelier to seal colors in place in an 1200° C oven, then numbers and signs the designs with a fingerprint.

Vases range from €60-300, tea sets from €75-120, plates from €18-50 and candy dishes are €98. A selection of Maïa's designs sell at Galeries Lafayette Maison in Paris and Living with Art in NYC.

See more images after the jump.