Maeve Klepper has been cultivating an abnormal and creative environment for herself her entire life. She grew up in a calm suburb of New Jersey, and then spent 3 years living at the Jersey Shore. This move provided new creative opportunities for her. When she found herself back in the suburbs inspired by contrasting her environment. She is influenced by her surroundings as she lives with antiques, oddities, and taxidermies. The idea of creating art which may cause discomfort or annoyance fascinates her, as she is not afraid to be different.

Maeve graduated with a BFA from William Paterson University. She has taken part in many art exhibitions, including the juried Here/Now student exhibition, winning “Best in Sculpture,” “Best in Painting," and “Best in Show.” Maeve uses creativity in her work life. She was a barista for three years, and took classes in New York City to perfect her latte art, which always puts a smile on customers’ faces. She also designed the website for a local Asbury Park gallery. Maeve desires every aspect of her life to be artistic, and to continues to expand her artistic interest. Maeve is also a tattoo artist, so she can share her art with those willing to wear it forever. She continues to show her permanent love for art by making her skin one of her own masterpieces.

2025

Current Series: The Dolls

In continuation to my 2024 series “Saving the Grotesque”, I am solely concentrating on painting Still Lives of my grotesque doll collection. This series repeats the goal of shedding light on Grotesque art and its beauty. The doll series introduces a new focus on fusing personal life and paintings. Collecting oddities shares the same stigma as Grotesque artwork. Some may consider antiques as garbage and dust collectors, while they can be a glimpse into history for others.

I collect Antique dolls to find beauty in what others would discard. These dolls could have been someone’s favorite toy 200 years ago. The spirits of their previous owners may hope someone is taking good care of their babies. I find so much more character in something that was loved for generations, without knowing their full story or journey. I only know the condition I find them in, and the new life I will provide them. 

I paint these dolls to enhance their beauty; to freeze them in time of their current condition, as their quality will continue to worsen with age. Come back as the series continues. 


More Works

It Felt Like Something in Me Died, and Something was Born.

It was as if I Shed My Skin and Became Someone New. 

1/1/2025

Journal Entry


I don’t know what happened. I wonder if I am healthy. I was completely sober too. Yea I’ve been in my head a lot- Thinking about everyone and everything. Stressing. It got to a point where I had this viscous migraine; used to those, though. On the drive home it worsened and worsened. You know that feeling when you’re falling asleep and it feels like you fell off of a cliff? That happened, but while I was awake… driving.

While it happened, I saw myself driving; as if I were the passenger. There were two of me. Is that what they call an outer body experience? When I felt the drop, I was gone. There was just one of me, but I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or not. My heartbeat skyrocketed. And suddenly, I was content. I was at peace. 

It felt like something in me died, and something was born. Instantly, I stopped thinking and stressing about everything. When I got home, everything felt different. My vocab was different, my thought process was different, and my feelings were different. It was as if I shed my skin and became someone new.

I am celebrating my new life, but mourning my old one. I loved her. 




Key notes:

  • Empty

  • Confusing

  • Innocence, Rebirth

  • Mourning, Darkness

2024

12.04.2024

Saving the Grotesque. Inspired by Cesar A. Cruz’s famous saying “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Can Grotesque art coexist in the Contemporary art world without seeking subcultural refuge?

Past Works

Exhibitions

  • 2024 BFA Senior Thesis Show, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2024 Provost’s Office, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2024  Here/Now, Juried exhibition, University Gallery, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2023   Here/Now, Juried exhibition, University Gallery, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2019   Art Start, Power Art Gallery, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2019   Teen Arts Festival Exhibition, Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ

  • 2018   Teen Arts Festival Exhibition, Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ

  • 2017-present Maeve Klepper, Beetlehouse, NYC

Awards & Recognitions

  • 2024 Best in Painting, Here/Now, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2023 Art Trustee Scholar, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2023 Best in Show Here/Now, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2023 Best in Sculpture Here/Now, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2019 Art Trustee Scholar, Art Start, William Paterson University, NJ

  • 2019 special recognition Teen Arts, Bergen Community College, NJ

  • 2018 special recognition Teen Arts, Bergen Community College, NJ