Meet Devora Maximova | Creative Director + Community Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devora Maximova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devora, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
It’s always been a priority to build, support and uplift community both personally and professionally. I truly believe that one’s own success is most succinctly defined by how you choose to be of service to community. Over the years I’ve worked with non-profits like One Kitchen Collaborative in Oceanside, and currently a part of CreativeMornings San Diego, a free monthly breakfast lecture for the creative community. Whether it’s volunteering time, pro bono work, organizing or fundraising, it’s an essential part of the creative studio’s ethos.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As far back as I can remember, art and community have been at the epicenter of my experiences. Did my father throw my bellybutton at the Bulgarian Arts Academy, as is Bulgarian tradition to play a role in your child’s future? Yes. Did I become the fine art artist he envisioned, not quite. But art and creativity have indeed been at my core and still are, through the work of my studio and its multidisciplinary initiatives.

Maximova Creative is a Multidisciplinary Studio, focused on telling clients’ stories with purpose and intention through imagination, candor, and curiosity. Working with clients to express their authentic story with their branding, website, digital platforms, packaging, merch or space, it never ceases to bring immense joy to tell their stories. Over the years, Creative Direction, brand identity and design have been prevalent at the studio yet recently, after diving into self reflection of the business this past year, it felt important to really channel the “Multidisciplinary” part of our nomenclature.. And as we believe environment plays a tremendous role in one’s output, we launched a Poster and Print art line of several collections. Adding to the focus of environment, we now also offer curatorial services for private homes, hospitality and other commercial spaces. This poster series triggered a dormant yearning to create more art that comes about every several years for me and culminated in the current showing of various works — new and old— “Joy Loom” at Vital Climbing Gym, Oceanside. I’m excited to be in residency there through June 2025. I’m especially happy to share is that the piece California Love is an auction based fundraiser piece for the Alta Dena Farmer’s Market, who are supporting families impacted by the fires in addition to local farmers and businesses.

I didn’t always have the vernacular to express community, yet I’ve innately always felt compelled to play a directional role in it. Arriving to the US as a scrappy eight year old, I navigated my new elementary school by drawing inspiration from my love for the never-ending book series the Babysitters Club. Little ESL me had been taught that first US summer how to make string bracelets, so I took that skill and made the absolute most of it. I formed the Bracelet Makers Club — the BMC — invited the kids I wanted to be friends with (who I barely knew), taught them to make said bracelets and thus my place among the cool (and kind) kids was forged into friendships thriving still today. I share this story because that love and ease of bringing people together has continuously shown up over the years and these days is embodied in actively building community. Now, volunteering with CreativeMornings San Diego, it’s such a joy to be able to partake in building a space for our local creatives that is inspiring and connection driven. Striving to illuminate those around me as much as possible, I’m honored to curate the Postcard Series at CreativeMornings SD, which spotlights artists throughout San Diego, printed by our sponsor Hudson Printing. Starting this initiative that brings back snail mail, while sending art and love near and far has been a highlight of the past few years. I hold so much gratitude for CreativeMornings SD, my fantastic team and the inspiring creative community we are part of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Yes, please.

Friday morning airport pick up, because airport pick up and drop off is a love language.
Breakfast for Croissant Pizza (what?!), bread board with Normandy butter and bubbly at Izola Bakery.
Pop over to Balboa Park checking out art at the Mingei and San Diego Museum of Fine Art, lunch at the Mingei Restaurant, a culinary gem full of fun international flavors.
Catch a Waves game, give me all the womens sports! And let my friend reminisce about being captain of the HS soccer team.
Drinks at Part Time Lover before heading home to North Country. That Chain Reaction with a boost of amaro is top notch.

Saturday Vista Farmers Market for a fresh haul, making brunch at home with Prager Brother baguettes and my favorite Prosecco from Frazier Farms.
Beachy afternoon to share the Cali sunshine.
Throw in some thrifting at My Sisters Closet Encinitas.
An early evening art gallery opening before immersing ourselves in the magic of dinner that is Leu Leu’s.

Sunday morning yoga at Vital Oceanside and lunch at Shoots. The go-to spot for sustainable asian fusion snacks.
Sketch session at the beach, then ice cream treat at Jeni’s for unmatched Gooey Butter Cake paired with the most obscure seasonal flavor in rotation.
Eat drink and be merry with our people late into the night over Bulgarian deliciousness and endless laughs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have fantastic wise inspiring friends and family around me including my daughter who strikes the perfect balance of bringing me joy with a side of humbling. Some of my people are close and down the street, my mom is a few exits away, and others are far on the east coast and Bulgaria. Yet I always feel seen and supported, having immense gratitude for the way each one hold space for me.

Website: https://www.maximovacreative.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maximovacreative/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoramaximova/

Image Credits
Stacy Keck
Chelsea Owen
Lizzie Zelter