I’m Madz and I created MAKluz Art and Photography as a way to display and showcase my artwork. I am the author of lavender essence: a collection of poems which you can buy here. Throughout my life, I’ve found comfort within the realms of music, art, photography, writing, and other creative outlets. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with a double minor in studio art and human sexuality). I currently attend Naropa University and am pursuing my Master of Arts in Transpersonal Art Therapy and Counseling. I am using meditation and mindfulness for a transpersonal counseling approach with integration of transpersonal art therapy techniques. I use my art, photography, and writing as a way of self-expression. With my artwork, I believe that my individual identities play a huge part in what I create. I identify as non-binary and queer (they/them pronouns please!). I have struggled with multiple mental illnesses (including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Major Depression, General Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder). I try my best to advocate for those also struggling. I try my best to be a person to relate to as a I’m a queer person, with mental health struggles. I hope that someone may look at my art and feel what I felt. I don’t want others to feel alone. As a person in this world, I am in love with the stars, the planets, the moon, the sun, the earth, the universe and living and loving. I love the human body and I think there is nothing more beautiful and complex. I believe censorship within nude art is unnecessary because art is inherently about expression and there is no artwork more common than a human body. I tend to see the world through my own lens (quite literally) and invite you to come along and look at things the way I see them. Ultimately, my goal is help people express themselves without entirely having to verbalize how they feel. I’d like to help them find words and expression for their pain. I believe people are simply human which leads me to another goal in life. I hope that one day I get the chance to use art therapy in a prison setting because I know it would be empowering to view the world as some incarcerated people do. I also believe that a reformation of the prison system needs to happen immediately. I’ve created this page because I think it’s time that I “show the world” my artwork as one of the incarcerated women in my inside-out college course inspired me to do. My artwork will be ever-changing and expanding because I am ever-changing and expanding with who I am. On this website, you will find not only artworks and photos that I have done but, also, poetry or other writing I’ve done as well. While I’ll be posting a lot of different types of artwork which may seem hectic, it’s all filled with passion. Feel free to reach out with questions or really for any reason. I’d love to chat. I hope you enjoy!
-Madz
MAKluz Art and Photography 