When Maury Simmons first stepped onto Mississippi State University’s campus in 2020, she had no idea that four years later she would walk away not just with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting, but also with a thriving art brand and a growing fan base.

Maury Simmons grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, where her love for art began the moment she could physically hold a paintbrush. She is the oldest of four sisters, all of whom have a natural talent for singing, according to Simmons’s younger sister Rebecca Johnston. However, Simmons ultimately found her passion with a paintbrush rather than with a microphone.

“As soon as I could hold a paintbrush, I loved art,” Simmons said. “I always loved it growing up, and I got really into it during my high school classes.”

Her journey began in high school, when she first launched her art business, MauryJArt, and started taking commissions from friends and family. Soon, through word of mouth, news spread about her work, and she had an increase in commissions.

When she arrived at Mississippi State in 2020, she initially pursued a double major in biology and art. However, by her junior year of college, she decided to fully commit to art.

Her senior year at Mississippi State became a significant turning point in her artistic journey. A branding class pushed her to develop her professional identity and launch her website. During this time, she found inspiration in fellow Mississippi State alumni and artists such as Adam Trest, based in Laurel, Mississippi, Shelby Monteverde, based in Memphis, Tennessee, and Hope Olson, based in Michigan.

As for the art behind the brand, Simmons’s original works burst with vibrant colors and soft pastels that bring a wide range of subjects — from flowers to ballerinas and sticky notes to bulldogs — to life. Among her most popular pieces featured on her website are “Puddle Jumper,” “Of Course I Can” and “We Had Made It.” These whimsical paintings display moments of childhood wonder like jumping in rain puddles or selling lemonade.

Simmons also said that acrylic is her preferred medium, favoring it over watercolor and oil paints, and she sells both originals and prints of her acrylic masterpieces.

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Maury Simmons's "Forever Notes" collection released on Feb. 6.

Simmons does not have a physical studio, so most of her sales come through her website. She frequently appears at art fairs. Her original work can also be found at Caron Art Gallery locations in Tupelo and Laurel.

Now a freshman at Mississippi State, Simmons’s younger sister Rebecca Johnston, an elementary education major, is one of Maury Simmons’s proudest supporters. She  displays one of her sister’s original artworks as the centerpiece in her dorm room. Watching her sister shine at MSU, whether running for Homecoming Court or showcasing her paintings in the art gallery on the second floor of the Colvard Student Union, played a significant role in Rebecca Johnston’s decision to attend Mississippi State.

“Just being able to watch her succeed here was really inspiring, and she had great things to say about it,” Johnston said.

Simmons inspires not only her younger sister, but also her husband, former Mississippi State right-handed pitcher Stone Simmons. Their story began with a bit of matchmaking from Maury Simmons’s mom. It turns out athletes and artists have more in common than people think.

“I have a lot of respect for what she does; the kind of art talent that she has is unbelievable,” Stone Simmons said. “I think she’s the best in the world at what she does.”

Through the ups and downs of being a college student pursuing her passion for art, Maury Simmons has learned that failure is inevitable, but it does not have to be defeating. She encourages other students to stay committed to their dreams, even when challenges arise.

“If there’s something that you love and you want to do it, it’s always best to just go for it,” Maury Simmons said. “You’re gonna fail at times, but that’s what makes you better.”

Today, Maury Simmons and her husband are preparing to welcome their baby girl in May and will soon be relocating from Starkville to Madison, Mississippi. Maury Simmons’s journey reflects the commitment she has made to pursue her passion and develop a family and career rooted in her artistic work.