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

Mimi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned a lot from my Studio Art degree in college, but I also learned from years and years of using my God given talent to learn and perfect techniques. One of the things that I believe benefited my use of color and color matching was being limited to the use of only primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and white and black in my college painting courses. I also learned so much about composition and movement in my work. As an artist, I don’t think there’s any way to speed up the process of ‘learning’. I know for me it is best to just start working. I get into a flow state, and let the process happen while leaning on the techniques learned over the years. As a creative I believe it is essential to ‘think outside the box’. One has to let oneself be free to experiment and try new techniques no matter your medium. I recently had a client request that the painting look like rock and roll! I definitely had to think outside the box on that one but the end result was perfect. I find that I have to think about the clients request and let my creative energy take over. Challenging oneself is an amazing way to grow as a creative!

Mimi, 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?

My creative process started as a child, from entering drawing contests to asking adults to scribble on a piece of paper so that I could create something from their scribble.

I subsequently took all the classes I could leading up to college and ultimately received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. I had a slow start on my journey as a working artist. I chose to be a full-time mom to my three children. It was not until after my youngest went to college, that I started focusing on my art.

Now, I work with clients on custom commission pieces, usually acrylic and mixed media on canvas. I will visit a client’s home or have a video call to look at the space and discuss color palette and size, and the type of piece that they’re interested in. There’s nothing better than getting a note from a client after a piece has been delivered sharing their feedback on how pleased they are with the end result! I also so enjoy free painting and working with graphite and charcoals.

There is definitely a spiritual aspect to my work. And if a client is open to it, they will see it as well… In many of my pieces I have noticed, after a work is complete, that
there are images of faces in my paintings…completely unbeknownst to me. I like to think of them as angels, guiding me to create pieces that will help me to fulfill my mission… helping those less fortunate.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

This is a subject I have discussed with other creative’s at length!

Recently, I posted a quote from an unknown author on my social media and the feedback from other artists was astounding.

Here is the quote:
‘When buying from an artist, you’re buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of failures and experimentation. You’re buying days, weeks and months of frustration and moments of pure joy.

You aren’t just buying a thing, you’re buying a piece of my heart, part of a soul, a moment of someone’s life. Most importantly, you were buying the artist more time to do something they are passionate about.’

What I think non-creatives don’t understand is the time it takes to hone your craft. A simple design may look like it takes no time, but it takes days even weeks to perfect a design…. To get the composition just right…To get the consistency of paint just right….to find the perfect paper, or perfect canvas…

I’ve had many people ask me ‘How long did this take you’ and I’m never quite sure how to answer that question. Each piece that I create is a separate journey that unfolds as the work is being created. Some come easier than others based on using a technique that I have used in the past, others are a longer process learning as the piece progresses.

Something else that I think non creatives may not understand is the creative process. A creative looks at the world in a different light. For instance, on my daily walks the creative energy is always present. Every tree or flower that I see I think about the colors that it would take to mix that particular shade of green or purple. Much time is spent in thought for each piece created.

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

To me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing the reaction from a client when they receive their piece of art. Whether it is a commissioned piece that we have worked on together or a piece that they have chosen from my collection. The process of working with a client to create a commissioned piece involves choosing a size color, color palette, and type of work they prefer. Nothing is more fun than a client saying ‘Do your thing’ and then seeing their delight with the end result.

Another rewarding aspect, for me in particular, is being able to give back to the community. For each piece of art that is sold, 50% of my proceeds are donated to help those less fortunate in the Atlanta community. I donate specifically to an organization called Hope Thru Soap, contributing clothing, food and toiletries to those living on the street in metro Atlanta. THIS is extremely rewarding to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: mimidukesart.com
• Instagram: @mimidukesart
• Facebook: Mimi Dukes Art