Mimi
May 2008ZANI chat to a new artist
After reading our piece on Ivan Massow, a young artist
e-mailed ZANI a collection of her work; we found it to be refreshing, exciting
and stimulating. Iconic images of
popular culture such as The Beatles, Jim Morrison, The Krays, Paul Weller,
Elvis and many more, on large canvasses painted in thickly applied acrylics in
dark, striking colours.You get drawn into the picture, which mesmerises and enchants you, not only are they visually stimulating but they leave you thinking about the subject of the painting; at ZANI , we had never lost interest in modern art and may be were missing the point, but a half cut cow in a glass box don’t really float our boat.
As Mimi is a new artist, there is very little, if any on her in the media, apart from the occasional item for sale on E-bay, so we decided we would bring the 1st ever interview with an artist who really makes an impact on the art scene.
ZANI- Tell us about the origin of Mimi?
Mimi- I've always drawn and painted as far back as I can remember. I dropped out of mainstream school at 14 after years of bullying and ended up in a unit for "problem kids”, there they had time for you; latched onto any talent, interests you had and nurtured it.
I had a brilliant art teacher, real 70's hippy type, and she opened my eyes to a whole new world, taught me to express myself through my art, gave me confidence in my abilities. From there I put myself through night school to get the grades for Art College.
Had a series of interviews with various colleges; was actually told by one that I wouldn't fit in, because of the "Old Boy Network" that existed there, and then finally got accepted by a local poly, that didn't seem to mind a working class background. I got through a year’s foundation course and passed with distinctions, but decided against the degree route, and took myself off traveling. Since then life's had some up's and hideous downs.
Scraping a living in various crappy jobs and the odd commission for portraits here and there, before coming across EBay at the beginning of this year. Took the plunge, and here I am.
ZANI- A real struggling artists?
Mimi- If you say so.
ZANI- What artist, alive or dead inspires your work?
Mimi- My favourite is Van Gogh, definitely. I remember my first visit to the National Gallery. Seeing all the classics in the flesh for the first time, stunning immaculate paintings. And then walking into a side room and wham. The Sunflowers, it just shone out amongst all the others, You see his work close up, the texture, colour, emotion; it’s powerful stuff, blew me away.
ZANI-Mimi’s enlightenment.
Mimi- I don’t want to sound a wanker, but it was a moving moment in my life.
ZANI- No, you don’t, it’s a powerful moment in life, when something gives you a sense of purpose. I’ve looked at your work, and I feel the best way to describe it is like David Bailey on canvas, would you agree with this statement?
Mimi- I particularly love the Bailey photos from the sixties, the black and whites of Beatles, Krays, Jagger and the whole 60’s and 70’s genre. I've drawn on them for inspiration in a couple of my pieces. I paint icons from popular culture; past and present, using simplified shapes, tones. His works certainly inspires me.
ZANI- How are you marketing yourself?
Mimi- At the moment I'm relying on EBay for web presence, although I have made some brilliant connections via there in. Apart from that, friends, word of mouth and grovelling emails.
But I’ve just had some works exhibited at Birmingham NEC memorabilia show. Frank Bruno, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Henry Cooper, all signed my work. To think that they now know my work, and respect it.
ZANI- That’s no mean feat, which meant more to you Frank Bruno, Geoff Hurst or Henry Cooper?
Mimi- All, you can’t compare them.
ZANI- What about Ronnie O’Sullivan?
Mimi- Is that a commission?
ZANI- Do you find things like the internet, EBay etc a great benefit to selling your art?
Mimi- Absolutely, it's where I realised I could make a living. EBay’s brilliant in that respect, where else are you going to get worldwide exposure with your own web page for promotion for next to nothing? The first painting I sold on there, back in Feb of this year, over 120 people looked at it. I mean we're not talking vast numbers, but I would never have achieved that without it.
Also consider, the guy who bought that particular painting runs a memorabilia website which now has a collection of my paintings, leading to 3 appearances at memorabilia shows and having 3 of Britain’s sporting legends sign my work.
This has also led to the author of "The Geordie Connection" wanting the Krays portraits to sell via his site not to mention private commissions. It simply would never have happened without EBay.
ZANI- The NEC has a good gig but what about a solo
exhibition, I feel you have enough material? Mimi-(Laughs) The real world is a bit of a scary proposition, at least with the internet you can't hear any criticism. But I would like people to see the paintings in the flesh. I paint with a palette knife and lay it on quite thick, so there's a depth and texture to them you just can't get over on the web. You asking?
ZANI- Yes, I would love to throw an exhibition of your work.
Mimi- See how the feedback from this interview goes, and we’ll take it from there.
ZANI- OK, ever done an exhibition before?
Mimi - I’ll give anything a go.
ZANI - Like your style .How do you begin a piece, and I bet canvas and paint aren’t cheap?
Mimi- Art materials are heart-stopping price wise. Again the internet comes into its own; I’ve spent many hours tracking down cheap (ish) supplies.
I make my own canvasses, which keep costs down, but I do get through bucket loads of paint. For something like a portrait or record cover, I'll make a few sketches from the source photos to sort out composition and colour. Once I’m happy, I'll draw out onto the canvas and just go for it with the palette knife.
ZANI- Why have you chosen images of Pop culture, is it something that interests you or do you feel that a commercial recognisable subject is easier to sell or both?
Mimi- Bit of both really. You can paint subjects that don't interest you personally, but to me your mood is reflected in your work. Paint something you have a love for and it shines through. I'm not saying I love the Krays, but the whole essence of the decade is captured in that photo.
I've also had a lot of positive response from fans of the various icons I've painted. Sure, you can buy a poster or digital print but a painting, whatever the medium; it’s got heart.
ZANI- Is it true that your next collection will be Marvel and DC comics super heroes and villains?
Mimi- You'll have to wait and see...
ZANI- What art interested you as child, was it the classics or animations?
Mimi- Early years, animations; like most kids, I spent hours copying comic and cartoon characters although I loved "Paint Along with Nancy".
I became more aware of "proper" art as a teen. I learnt a lot about technique by copying the classics, albeit on a smaller scale, but it's one of the best ways to learn about composition, colour, light and shade.
ZANI- Who was your favourite cartoon character to draw?
Mimi- I had a real thing for Andy Capp actually.
ZANI- Do you feel schools do enough to encourage art?
Mimi- I don't know so much about nowadays, the mainstream school I went to certainly didn't. They were only interested in the prissy ones who could knock out immaculate pencil studies of hands, right down to the fingerprints or "wildlife" scenes. That was guaranteed entrance hall display material. There was no encouragement to explore any different materials, make mistakes, no opportunity for self-expression.
ZANI- Paint by numbers, and the teacher pats you on back . I doubt if it’s changed that much.
Mimi- Sad if it hasn’t.
ZANI- I like some graffiti pieces that I see, especially the ones from the USA, not New Malden train station, and now graffiti is recognised as art, from the street level upwards, do you think town centres should encourage the people to have their say on the billboard and a can of spray paint?
Mimi- hmmm controversy. I think most local authorities should be providing more facilities for the young to express themselves whether it's through art, in whatever form, music etc. Encourage and nurture talent, provide the means for self-expression. You don't want to stifle talent but on the same token you can't just have a mass free for all.
ZANI- Gin Lane By William Hogarth was a powerful image of 18th Century England, ever felt about moving into painting a scene that captures a social dilemma in England, like the homeless in London, underage drinking or just a slice of life on an estate, could be your tour de force?
Mimi-Christ, would you want it on your wall though. I think life's depressing enough. People are aware of our social problems more so than ever these days without having a reminder of it bearing down at them in their living room.
ZANI- I wouldn’t mind it.
Mimi- I presume you don’t entertain that much.
ZANI- When you’re not painting what do you like to do?
Mimi- Films, films and films. I was brought up on a steady diet of Sat/Sun afternoon matinees on the BBC. I know most of the words/songs to every musical ever made. Foreign, independents, golden oldies, you name it. Although most modern stuff leaves me cold.
ZANI- You can’t beat a good Jimmy Cagney; I loved the BBC’s matinees.
Mimi- Jimmy Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, George Raft, Fred and Ginger, great icons......I feel a painting coming on..
ZANI- The future of Mimi?
Mimi- The Birmingham NEC was a big step; I’ve got some press from it. So I’ve made a few more connections there. Also putting together a collection for a film convention (Lord of the Rings) in October in Manchester. Plus a couple of private commissions. So onwards and upwards really.
ZANI- Your favourite painting of all time?
Mimi- Starry Night by Van Gogh. Mood captured, memories it evokes, colours, everything. Love it.
Charming and cheeky and a lot of talent is what Mimi is all about, using the Internet to promote her work, by-passing the snobbery of gallery owners and the classic V’s up to the teachers who said she wouldn’t make it. In less than a year she has sold over 50 paintings, exhibited work at NEC, with much more in the pipeline.
Just one bored afternoon, can lead to an exciting lifestyle. Mimi is a bubbly conversationalist, and has not one ounce of the pretentiousness of artists. Raw and honesty is her outlook, if she likes it she paints it and they are good. No, they are real good.
©Matteo Sedazzari/ZANI
Mimi Love
