We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mia Moyad a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Being from an Italian entrepreneurial family of five girls we were all creative in our own ways. I was interested in fashion, and loved expressing myself with my hair, makeup and clothing. In the 90’s I I opened a couple of boutiques in Minneapolis.

I later met my husband, the love of my life, and moved to Michigan where I earned an MSW from the U of M. The stress of my job as a social work manager inspired me to explore painting as a healthy coping mechanism. When a colleague offered to buy a piece I became inspired to dream about painting as a profession.

I promised myself to create every day even if it was just a single brush stroke until I had enough for a show. My church, First Congregational in Ann Arbor, had a members art exhibit and I applied. When they accepted my application, I was over the moon with excitement!! In January of 2016 I had my very first solo exhibit.

Mia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Today I’ve been fortunate to be a part of numerous art shows and even offer a gift line created from my art. Things such as prints, greeting cards, magnets, mugs, tea towels and even a line at spoonflower.com.

My Etsy site: KindnessGrowsHere is where i sell most of my originals. This past summer I had a wonderful opportunity to show my collection at Bay Lavender Trading in Glen Arbor, Michigan. It went extremely well and I felt the community’s support lifted my dreams to new levels.

I’m currently remodeling my art studio and getting ready to snuggle in for the winter where I’ll spend delicious days on end creating new pieces.

Creating art makes me happy and I hear that a lot of people tell me it makes them happy to look at it so I believe i am fulfilling my god given purpose as we can all use more joy.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

That day when you first walk into your art show and you wonder who’ll come and whether or not people will appreciate it can be intimidating. However, making connections through your art is exhilarating. Getting over the hurdle of the first day jitters is worth when someone can’t stop starring at a piece and wants to talk to you about it.

In a world that can sometimes feel isolated it gives me great pleasure to speak to others about my art. It’s hard to explain but I guess it’s another form of communication and of expression and connecting with others.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am a believer and I turn to God and prayer first and foremost for my needs. I believe this is the path He wants me to be on. Sometimes doing things quietly in your little corner of the world touches and inspires people you don’t even realize are watching you.

I try to live connected to God and my art work allows me to do that. My creative time is sacred, I am prayerful ,and closer to God then. It is then that I feel I am my most humble and my purest self.

Contact Info:

• Website: miamoyad.com
• Instagram: miamoyad
• Facebook: MiaMoyadStudio
• Etsy: KindnessGrowsHere