Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Miki Anderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Miki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always wanted to pursue a creative path. As a small child, I would choose to write short stories over playing Oregon Trail in the computer lab in school. As the years went on, I became obsessed with documenting moments and would journal and took up photography in college. I have no formal training but have enjoyed learning about photography through trial and error. More recently, I have been painting and making music, but I still dabble in photography.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In terms of getting into the creative industry, I started out by vending at art festivals, such as the Tate Street Festival just off of UNCG’s campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. Over time, my art was being displayed in exhibits and festivals, such as artSPARK in Raleigh and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Musically-speaking though, my former bandmate, Justin “JR” Allen, and I had multiple opportunities to perform with other musical acts at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh back in 2019, shortly after releasing our first albums both as a band and as individual artists. I hope that answers the first question.

I’m not sure what makes me stand out from other creatives. I’m versatile in my artistic endeavors, with writing, making music, photography, and painting. But I’m just a person like anyone else. I will say that I’m self-taught and know that I have room to grow because I believe that we are all works in progress.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

My definition of “success.” I am not rich. I do not have thousands of followers. These sorts of things used to bother me. I used to define myself by where I was in relation to other people. But that’s a miserable way to live, I found. There will always be someone who is “better” somehow.

But it’s not a competition, y’all. I’ve learned that. I don’t have to be the best at anything. I just have to do *my* best.

So I am not rich or famous. But I am happy. I have multiple outlets to express myself creatively, which I find all to be rather therapeutic. Also, I have a strong support system, with loved ones who encourage me. Would I want to make money off of my creative projects? Absolutely. But I do them because I enjoy doing them. Money would be a delightful bonus. But money does not equate success. I am happy, and I am loved. What more do I need?

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Getting to add to the beauty and to the happiness of the world by making something new.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dr.miki.magnolia

Image Credits

Miki Anderson