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“An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.” -James Whistler

In my day job as a title rep, I interact with hundreds of people with all kinds of unique backgrounds. It is fun to be able to talk to so many different personalities. As much as did not enjoy it at first (being an introvert:), I’ve grown to love this aspect of my work – I feel like I’ve traveled to all kinds of countries and experienced many diverse cultures – all here in a 30 mile radius. As different people are in the way they think, talk, backgrounds etc, there are many similarities as well. Many have a passion besides their “day job” and many times that passion is an art – weather it is signing, painting, writing or even public speaking. I would say that everyone has an interest in art in some shape or another.

On the other side are the artists – the people that want to create stuff for a living or at least are trying. The question is how to convey thoughts and ideas into whatever art form is preferred by the creative person and then have the viewer or listener experience, at least partially, what was in the artists mind at the time. The truly great art pieces transcend time and language, leaving the observer with a feeling, something that is beyond words, something that resonates deep inside.

As an artist, I want to make something that is beautiful and meaningful not only to me but to whomever is viewing it. This way we get to share something – it is a two way street of the artist and the observer. Most of my paintings are of nature, because I find her the most inspiring artist of all time:) A lot of them are of trees, because I love them – they also have a way of silently stirring something inside me. I am also inspired by illustrations of children's books – a different world to explore, created entirely in someone's’ mind – I find that intriguing and want to keep exploring that subject. It is more difficult than paining nature, because nature is already there and it is always perfect – I just need to find a good angle and light and I am ready to paint. With my inspirational/fairy tale paintings, the process is more complex, because it doesn’t exist yet – I have to create it, pull it out of my mind and my dreams and make it relate to the viewer. Sometimes it works and other times I get a lot of questions:) And yet other times what was in my mind did not translate on the painting surface at all:) But that is also part of the fun – not knowing what will come out next.

Are you an artist or an art admirer? I would love to hear your thoughts!

I have a lot of people ask me where Mimi V comes from since my name is Maria Langgle. So I thought I’d write a post about it:)

In Bulgaria, the country that I am from, it is very common to give abbreviated names to people that you know well. They are like terms of endearment towards close friends. Mine was and is Mimi. It is actually very common to abbreviate Maria to Mimi. So for the first 20 years of my life, I was Mimi, and Maria was for school or for when I was in trouble:)

When I moved to the United States, Mimi was seen as not very appropriate. Especially, when I choose to study economics and have a career as a professional in marketing and sales, Mimi seemed less and less appropriate. So for the last 10 years or so, I was and am “Maria” for everyone except my very close, close friends.

The “V” part came from a great friend, who had put my name in his phone as Mimi V (my maiden name is Vassileva). Soon enough he started calling me “Mimi V” at parties and gatherings and it stuck. I liked the sound of it and I liked the “V” – it has stood for many things ranging from vendetta to victory over the years:)

As I began to be more serious about art and especially when I started painting finished pieces, the question on how to sign them came to mind. I went with Maria Langgle at first but that seemed to business-y and too serious. As it is my strive to be less serious in general, I decided to go with “Mimi V” as my artist moniker.

So, there is the story of the name. Do you have an interesting story about yours?

I read “The Zen of Seeing” by Frederick Franck beginning of this year and I loved the idea of a drawing meditation. I employed this on our vacation in Lundy Lake this summer. Here are some of the sketches I did.