It's hard to say when my passion for art started. Maybe at age ten, when I learned to draw cartoon dolphins and scribbled them on everything.
Maybe at age twelve, when I drew horses, with my horsegirl magazines for reference.
Maybe with the occasional fanart for shows I watched back then, like Darwking Duck and the Gargoyles.

 

At age fourteen, I discovered Manga and Anime. A while later, I started my journey in anime art by copying panels out of Arina Tanemura's "Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne" and Kaori Yuki's "Angel Sanctuary". Two wildly different works, which both had an impact on me and my art. I also did some fanart for "Pokémon" and "Dragonball Z"  around that time.

 

My newfound passion for anime and manga in these early days of the Internet (aka the 90s) lead to me finding online communities to talk to like-minded people. Since there weren't many in my native German back then, I also sought out English ones. My language skills improved, even if I did surf these sites with a dictionary by my side.

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Pretty soon, I wanted to draw my own art and characters, not just copy what exists. I bought a basic "How to draw Manga" book and studied it. I realized the importance of references, and became my first model. Internet access was limited, and my family wasn't often willing to pose for me. The first time my mother found me posing in front of the entrance hall mirror, sketchbook in front of me, she asked me what I was doing.

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I continued drawing on and off for many, many years. My mother discouraged me from a carreer in art, so I became a salesperson. Art was the one thing that kept me sane through years of customer service, health issues, and other things life threw at me. Art, and my amazing spouse. He is the one that always believes in me.

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In 2021, I revived an Instagram account I'd made on a whim. In 2022, I started posting more regularly. At first just for myself, to have an archive for my art. I joined challenges, had fun, and found a few art chat groups.

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The desire to make art at least a part of my career grew. I started to advertise that I take commissions  now and again, with little luck. I also started planning a webpage, which you are visiting right now! My own little corner of the Internet.

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If I have any advice for you reading this, it is to keep going. Do your best, and take care of yourself.

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Love, Mia