We recently connected with Maile Miyake and have shared our conversation below.
Maile, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Iʻve always doodled since I was a kid and entered school contests just because I was artistic and it was a passion of mine. It wasnʻt until my sophomore year of high school when I realized I could create a path for myself in the creative field from one of my art teachers. I was always pursing to become a lawyer and major in criminal justice, I knew that was where the money was at and also had a passion for that. But Iʻve also always took every art class possible from elementary to high school in all different fields. My teacher asked, why donʻt you pursue it in college? I switched my mindset completely, not knowing exactly what to major in but knew it was in creative arts. I still had the mindset of money so I decided to major in Graphic Design as I was guided by my teachers, peers, and family to go this route. I did and still do freelance art on the side because I am also a crafty person who likes to try new creative routes. After getting my BFA in Graphic Design and Digital Media I got my first Graphic Design job and still do freelance on the side mainly for Hawaiʻi based companies with a plethora of clients based off of connections and social media.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Hawaiian. Most kids in Hawaiʻi donʻt even graduate high school or go to college. There is this stereotype thinking of ʻbeing stuck on a rockʻ and I knew I never wanted that for myself. I apply Hawaiian aspects and thinking to my processes intertwined with the education I received. Knowledge is key and being successful and Hawaiian I am able to inspire the younger generation of Hawaiian children to follow their dreams. There is more than ʻthis rockʻ, home will always be home but to get an education and follow your heart is what you should strive for. I have a passion for all types of mediums, I do have my own style of floral, line work, pastel colors, etc. but am able to work outside of the box because I am persistent and I love to make the client happy. I build a relationship with them that has built my network.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Scholarships. Scholarships. Scholarships. Starving artists are a real thing but the outcome is amazing. Yes I have student debt but I hustle and I hustled in college to the point where I had 3 jobs and went to school full-time. It was not easy, I would have to eat at work sometimes twice (when I wasnʻt supposed to) just to have 2 meals a day. If I were able to obtain more art scholarships I wouldʻve been better prepared but there arenʻt as many as you think and college focusing in the arts are EXPENSIVE.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being able to support my culture in a wider audience. I love teaching others about my culture and creating beautiful artwork with it. Hawaiʻi is not only this tourist destinations, it is my home. There is so much more going on than we think. For example TMT with the government trying to build a 30-meter telescope on one of our sacred mountains Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea may not be sacred to many but is it to us indigenous people, I even created a piece about Mauna Kea but due to Covid many things were pushed back. Slowly they will try to build it again and we Hawaiians will protest again, we will not give up. I think itʻs important to understand someoneʻs culture, yes itʻll improve science but it will also desecrate an important place to the Hawaiians.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mailesart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maile-miyake-a1429016b/