Meet the colourful world of Mira Paradies.
What inspired you to become an artist, and when did you first realise that you wanted to pursue this career path?
As a kid I loved colours and couldn't stop drawing, it was magical to create my own worlds on paper. I studied graphic design but my passion was illustration. Only after I got my first iPad I started to pursue it full time and I couldn’t be happier today!
What are some of your favourite materials and mediums to work with, and why do you prefer them? My iPad. It is so flexible and travel friendly. When I have space and time I also love gouache and watercolour and I craft 3D objects of cardboard and collage.
How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over time?
Very colourful and dreamy and detailed. I like to add some fun or quirkiness. I am always curious to experiment with different mediums and techniques. Over the time I got less afraid to make mistakes!
What themes or ideas do you explore in your artwork, and why are they important to you?
I love to travel (especially South and East) and to observe the everyday life. There’s so much to discover in nature and street life. I also love vintage things.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial concept to the finished piece?
It depends on the task (a pattern, a puzzle, a personal piece) – but first I start to find visual ideas by sketching a lot. Then I lay out the shapes until I like the composition. The fun part is the colouring that can get me completely absorbed.
How do you stay motivated and inspired when you hit a creative block or rough patch?
Go for a walk in the forest, clean the house, plan the next trip, just doodle randomly until something evolves. W
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out on their artistic journeys?
Enjoy the journey, have fun to discover what you like, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, don’t be afraid of mistakes. What are your goals for your art in the future, and where do you see your career going in the next few years?
What's your favourite piece that you sell on Fy! and why?
I love the charts of colourful pantry packagings, it’s a nice series. I have one in my own kitchen! I also love the screenprints and still lifes.
Tell us about the artwork you hang in your own home and how this fits into your interior style?
I am a very eclectic collector of souvenirs on my travels, so my walls are covered with framed packaging of Burmese Coffee, Chinese Beer Ads, Sardine postcards from Portugal and shelves with Indian folding temples and masks from Vietnam. So very colourful and fun and full of memories. I love to look at them every day.
