In the vast landscape of creativity, there exist artists who defy convention, carving their own path with unbridled passion and unparalleled vision. Today, we step into the enigmatic world of MM, known to many as Midwest Misfit, a multidimensional artist whose journey transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary.
As we peel back the layers of MM's artistic narrative, we uncover a tapestry woven with threads of inspiration, resilience, and boundless creativity. From the spark of creation to the evolution of style, each chapter of MM's journey offers a glimpse into the inner workings of a true artistic maverick.
Join us as we venture into the realm of MM, where art becomes a portal to the soul, and every creation is a testament to the power of imagination. Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and moved by the unique voice of an artist who dares to defy expectations and redefine the boundaries of creativity.
Eduard ( E ): Artists often emerge from one of two origins: some have a spark for creation that's been present since birth, while others experience a defining moment that transforms a mere interest into a deep-seated passion. Which of these paths aligns with your journey, and at what point did you recognize that 'creating' was your true calling?
MM ( Midwest ): I would have to say it’s more a mix of both. I’ve always created since I was a child, as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to create. It allows me time to just step away from everything going on in the world and just focus on my own little world. I fully recognized creating was my true calling whenever I would get stuck, and put it away for a while. Whether it was days, weeks, or even years in between when I would get the urge to create, and one day it just clicked. It’s the one constant thing that I’ve always been able to depend on to pull me away from all the stresses of life.
E: Behind every creation, regardless of its form, lies a source of inspiration. Whether it's drawn from people, places, experiences, fleeting thoughts, or deep introspection, there's always a muse guiding the creative process. Who or what has been the cornerstone of your inspiration, and why?
MM: One of the major cornerstones of my creative inspiration has been Andy Warhol. I may not produce “Pop-Art” but the idea of Pop Culture has always intrigued me. I’ve read many books about him and books he’s published such as “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to Z and Back Again.” It’s really interesting to read about his perspective of the world around him. He was definitely an asshole but what he created and the way he changed advertising and marketing has lived on for over half a century. He’s my biggest muse.
E: Life's journey is interwoven with highs and lows. While we all cherish the highs, I believe that the challenges we encounter often propel us forward, serving as hidden blessings. Has there been a specific challenge that profoundly influenced your life, prompting you to rethink your perspective or approach to your art? If so, would you be comfortable sharing it with us?
MM: Oh, without a doubt there have been challenges. Everyone has challenges regardless of how effortless things are crafted to appear. One of my biggest challenges, even to this day is owning my work. Being like “Yo, I made that!” I truly enjoy sharing my work, admittedly there are times I feel very insecure sharing it because showing your work at times feels like wearing your heart in your sleeve and showing your vulnerability and I don’t always like that because there are people out there who will use your vulnerabilities against you. I will say though that I have been taking small steps to open up to the people around me and sharing my work and what I can bring to the table, and while I may not always feel like it’s a lot I have received some great feedback and praise on the skills that I do have. Accepting that praise has been a huge challenge for me.
E: I deeply value the process of self-reflection with every artist I speak with. Tracing back to the very first day you began your creative journey, whether it was through painting or digital crafting, and journeying to the present, how would you describe the evolution of your style or approach from those initial moments to now?
MM: My style has changed immensely over the years. When I first started Midwest Misfit back in 2015 I was watercoloring but I wanted more tools to allow me to create anything I could think of. I was experimenting with a lot in that time. At one point I was doing a lot of acrylic pours and commissioned abstract works. I didn’t want to be limited to a watercolor palette and paper. I didn’t want to be limited to paints and canvas or clay and a wheel. I was also doing a bunch of reading on spirituality and doing a lot of meditation and smoking a lot of weed, which really opened my mind’s eye. I wanted to create whole worlds that you can escape into and so I slowly started diving into 3D. I vaguely remember coming across some animated music video in late 2015 and just decided to search what software people use to create such a thing and that’s where I found mentions of Blender. After coming across Blender I decided to download it and immediately went looking for tutorials on YouTube. I did create a couple of animations but my computer didn’t have certain specs so I was waiting days just to render a simple 10-second video. Around the same time I met my now husband and he suggested I look more into Cinema 4D as it was a bit less overwhelming. I was also finding out a lot about myself during this time. I was looking into more spiritual practices, playing with ideas of how humans evolved to where we are now, aliens and how they could be interwoven into the story of the human race, and a lot of thought of how there are vast amounts of planets and solar systems out there. Or what if this truly is just one branch in a world of timelines?
E: Art, in all its forms, serves as a reflection of the artist's soul, acting as a mirror to their innermost thoughts and feelings. With this perspective in mind, how do you feel your essence, as "MWM", is captured and portrayed in your creations?
MM: In regards to the Midwest Misfit avatar and garments it stems from when I was much younger, I had dreams and ambitions of being something huge! A celebrity or a pop star, an icon but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that I’m no longer in the prime that the machine likes you to be in, so I had to adjust. I mean who was I kidding anyway? I was some rail-thin dude from the Midwest who had absolutely no connections to any part of society that was interested in art or Pop Culture and so I laid that dream to rest and that is when Midwest Misfit was born. I’ve shown my work to my family and friends but they don’t get it, which maybe it’s not for them to get anyway. I have a different vision than most that surround me and I use my art to help capture that vision.
E: One of your creations that caught my attention is “ALL SEEING”. What intrigues me isn't just the artwork itself, but the underlying message it conveys. There's a palpable connection between the art and its message, and it leaves space for personal interpretation, which I find truly captivating. If you're open to discussing it, could you delve into the message behind this piece? Additionally, based on its theme, how do you envision people elevating to a higher state of being in today’s society, and what transformative changes do you believe are necessary?
MM: I don’t want to word anything incorrectly, because I don’t like pissing people off but I just find the word “God” to be a tad loaded. I believe that whatever you believe in; God, the Grand Poonah, the Universe— whatever it is, it’s important that you develop a relationship or bond with it and allow it to be part of your life. For myself, I guess I would say it’s a form of higher consciousness that transcends traditional human interpretations. I believe it’s a form of energy, a frequency if you will. I believe in things such as signs and synchronicity, and people will tell you it’s a load of bullshit but there has to be something to it. Almost as if you’re tapping into the matrix and you’re getting small hints and nudges of the next move to make— just as you would with God. In the piece, the blue neon signifies the energetic symbol of God and all of its healing powers, much like the blue hem with all its healing powers. The female bodies with gold clothes over the head bring the full piece together, and for me, that tells a story of how mankind forgets its balance of both masculine and feminine energies and how it’s important for the two to stay in balance within ourselves.
E: Your portfolio showcases a rich blend of Digital Fashion, 3D Art, Visuals, and more recently, I've observed a growing tendency towards AI in your creations. How do you perceive the role of AI in shaping your artistic journey? Given the diverse mediums you work with, how do you integrate them cohesively? Do you envision a collaborative synergy between them?
MM: I always believe in AI helping co-create but I would never allow it to solely make creative decisions for me, as I am the artist. I do find joy in being able to type my idea out and receive an interpretation of what I have thought up, but almost never am I getting a result in exactly what I’m looking for. I think AI is more than just a passing fad. It’s not here for a short time and then people get tired of it and so it fades out until the new shiny thing comes along. It is the new shiny thing that will reiterate and continue to grow. There will be ever-evolving use cases for the technology, some we make like and some we may not. The way I look at it is that it’s here for the long haul, so instead of wasting so much energy trying to fight it, I might as well make the best of it and learn to adapt and use it. One thing I would really like to see it do is create a look for a garment, and then also create the exact sewing pattern for the garment it created. Maybe it’s been done already and I’m behind, but that would be the next level in my mind.
E: "Your piece “EGO DEATH” deeply resonated with me, particularly its underlying message. I concur with your perspective and also foresee a transformation in the way art is collected. Could you share your vision of how this shift might unfold? Additionally, for those unfamiliar with "EGO DEATH", could you delve into the inspiration and narrative behind it?
MM: I believe we are still at the beginning of how art will be collected in the future. I think of it as the timeline of Earth and just how humans have been here for a mere fraction of that time. I feel like we need that one huge game like GTA VI or something to really launch it into the mainstream. My dad, for example, is like 60 years old and has played GTA for decades— so as a game, it has longevity and a huge fan base and they could be ones that help usher in a new idea into minds that don’t always keep up with the most recent tech. The same goes with clothing, and anything else really. I think the large companies are going to feed smaller companies because once someone realizes Game X or clothing Brand X (that has a huge following) is doing something, that may trigger people to start looking at other brands that are also incorporating the tech.
E: Fashion, throughout history, has undergone countless transformations. Yet, despite its ever-changing nature, I believe its core essence— the power of expression, connection, and reflection— has remained steadfast. As we navigate the digital era, how do you envision the evolution of fashion? And in this context, how do you perceive the impact on its enduring essence?
MM: I believe that it starts with gamification. From my POV I think we’re still a bit away from people fawning over a digital garment much like they would a new Louis Vuitton or Gucci bag. I think once AR is kicked up a notch, and body tracking in apps and such are better, the industry will be ready for mass adoption. Some applications are great at this but the ones people use the most are still subpar in a way, however, that’s just my opinion. I know my work isn’t always shining through the best and brightest as others but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and enjoy quality. Once everything is in place with tech (think AR glasses) culture and individuality will thrive and flourish like never before. Patience is the keep. It may be bitter but the fruit it brings will be the sweetest.
E: Every journey is driven by a purpose and steers towards a destination. Reflecting on your own creative odyssey, what ignited your passion to embark on this path? And as you travel on this journey, what is a dream or aspiration you're fervently aiming to realize?
MM: My passion has always been ignited since I was a youngster. I wanted to simply create art. For the longest time when I was younger wanted to be an architect, but as time went on I wanted to be an art teacher— then I just wanted to be an artist. Traveling this journey hasn’t always been easy. There’s been a lot of twists and turns on the road, a few tunnels I thought were never going to end and perhaps even a few moments where I thought I was going to drive off a cliff but as I stay on that straight and narrow path it’s becoming clearer on what I want out of life with art and vision. I want to change the world. I want people to see that it doesn’t matter what you believe or who you love— we all want the same thing; and that is for our fellow humans to succeed in life in whatever form success looks like to the individual. This is a vision I believe is possible if we all let our walls down, even if it’s a fraction of where they’re at now.
E: What’s the most unusual item in your studio or workspace?
MM: I would have to say the most usual, which isn’t really that unusual anymore, is a collection of Polaroid film cameras.
As we bid farewell to the captivating realm of Midwest, we are left awestruck by the depth of creativity and the raw authenticity that defines MM’s artistic journey. With each stroke of the digital brush and every pixel meticulously placed, Midwest Misfit invites us into a world where imagination knows no bounds and self-expression reigns supreme.
Through MM's profound insights and unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, we are reminded of the transformative power of creativity in shaping our world. From reimagining traditional mediums to embracing cutting-edge technology, MM's work serves as a beacon of inspiration for fellow artists and enthusiasts alike.
For those eager to delve deeper into the mesmerizing universe of Midwest Misfit, be sure to follow on social media ( Twitter - Instagram - Farcaster - Discord ) and explore the artistic prowess of MM. It's an opportunity to witness firsthand the evolution of MM's artistry and stay updated on the latest projects and endeavors.
As we bid adieu to MM's captivating narrative, our journey through the realms of creativity and inspiration continues. Join us next week for another installment of our Storied Strokes series, where we'll unveil yet another compelling tale from the world of art and innovation. Stay tuned to our social channels ( Twitter - Lens - Instagram ) for hints and teasers about what's to come.
Each artist, like Midwest Misfit, adds depth and vibrancy to our ever-expanding narrative. These visionaries are the storytellers of our age, weaving tales that resonate with the essence of our shared humanity. Our journey is far from over; it's a continuous exploration of creativity, inspiration, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.
Join us as we celebrate and traverse these captivating narratives, one story at a time.
The journey continues...
