Today's interview is with Mia Buchanan of Miart Design Creation. I stumbled upon her pink elephant graffiti style painting, and was hooked. She was kind enough to let me ask her a few questions so that all of us could get to know her better.
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| Pink Elephant with Vintage Style Silver Pattern. |
1.
Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon it later in life?
Since
I got first prize for drawing at Pre-school in Japan, I was a kid
always good in art class. I started taking Art seriously when I
entered at High school. I went to regular High school at day time and
went to Art pre-collage after noon. I painted more than 6 hours
almost everyday. However, I decided to get a Graphic design job
instead of pursuing art when I come to U.S.A. for College. I got a
Bachelor degree for Graphic design and I worked for MTV and AD agency
for Canon.
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| Pantone Color Nail Polish Painting. |
2.
What style of art is your favorite and why?
I
like a combination of street art and graphic design. I like well
designed art with
calculation. My
favorite artists are Tes one and Mr BrainWash. I like art where all
kinds of media and color are mixed. It looks calculated but still has
organic flow in the painting. Because of my background as graphic
designer, I like a piece that has a strong impact and is visually
beautiful instead of not so beautiful but a lot of message behind it.
3.
What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?
A
lot of ideas come from images in magazines, photos and everyday life.
I like to combine and narrow the concept in my head, then I sketch on
the paper with pencil.
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| Two Donuts from the Dessert Series. |
4.
Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.
I
expect some kind of accident will happen when I paint. ( such as
paint dripping, scratch, grunge..) I don't want to paint exactly the
same as I sketch. I enjoy the accident and that is the part of
fun of hand painting.
5.
What is a typical day in your life?
After
I send the kids to school, I go to Bikram Yoga. After I am back
to home, it's time to check all emails and art prints orders.
If there is any time left before the kids get home, I will paint but
normally its not enough time to finish so I go back to paint later in
the night.
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| Materialistic Girl - Pink/Gold. |
6.
What do you think draws you to other people's work?
I
do like to see what kind of techniques other artist use. Observing
other people's skill sometimes gives me a hint for my next creation.
7.
What are your interests/hobbies?
My
hobby is Yoga.
8.
Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?
Illustration
and Art are my main focus, but I do freelance jobs as graphic
designer as well.
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| Original Flower Painting. |
I
don't have my favorite yet.
10.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the
business world?
Making
beautiful artwork is not enough of a skill to be successful.
Artists still have to know how to sell their name and make their art
as valuable as possible. Marketing is really important.
11.
Describe your work space.
My
work space smells like Art class in school. It's really a calming
smell to me. I do all graphic jobs and painting job at my work
space. I have 2 scanners, 2 Macs, and 1 printer, a lot of
canvases and spray paints.
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| A view of Mia's Studio. |
12.
Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist?
It
is always difficult for me when friends or family members ask me to
make a painting and they expect me to not to charge them.
13.
What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right
now?
I
try to have group shows and showcase more so I can sell my name as an
artist. Also, I am always looking forward to meeting other creative
people because not only do they inspire me but it makes for another
opportunity for a show or collaboration. My dream goal in the
future is showing my art at Miami Basel. The event place is heaven
for all artists.
Her work can also be found at ZaPow! Gallery.
And prints are available at MiartPrintCreation.
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