Artist in conversation: Mimi Ledeboer
“I believe in the ‘saying’ that in art there are no mistakes”
Welcome to the vibrant world of Mimi Ledeboer, a Dutch artist whose life and work are as colorful as the Caribbean islands she calls home. Mimi's artwork is a delightful blend of inspiration drawn from nature and the simplicity of everyday life.
Having lived in various corners of the world, from the lively streets of Mexico to the serene landscapes of Rwanda, from the bustling heart of Congo to the tranquil beaches of St. Lucia, Mimi has embraced the diverse cultures of each location. This global journey has left an indelible imprint on her art, infusing it with unique cultural elements and an unparalleled depth.
Mimi firmly believes that a painting you love can sprinkle a dash of magic into any room, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones. Her art captures this magic, offering viewers a visual journey through her experiences, emotions, and adventures.
Balancing her passion for creating art with the joyous adventure of being a mother to three children, Mimi finds happiness and fulfillment in both worlds. Her life is a testament to the fact that one can indeed paint a beautiful picture while juggling different roles.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
Ever since I was little, I was busy crafting and drawing. Somewhere in my own little corner or together with friends. Creating something with my hands has always been a great way to express myself. It gives me a chance to slow down, escape reality for a moment and dive into another world. I started my creative career at Spotify as a Creative Strategist based in Amsterdam.
Five years later I left Amsterdam and moved with my husband to Mexico for his new job. This created the perfect opportunity for me to truly focus on art, learn new skills and gradually develop my own style. Although I strongly believe every artist will go through many different styles throughout their live and I’m a big fan of experimenting and trying out new things as you will see on my Instagram page.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I think my art is inspired by music, nature and all the little things of everyday life. For the past few years I’ve been living across the globe, from Mexico to Rwanda, from Congo to St. Lucia, and I lost my heart to all the different cultures. I think this is reflected into my work. In my paintings you’ll find lots of animals, flowers and portraits or a combination of all.
Could you share how your experiences living in different cultures have influenced your artwork and brought a unique perspective to your colorful pieces?
The different cultures are for example visible through my use of color. Artwork from my time in Mexico is very bright and colorful with distinct color combinations. Frida Kahlo vibes. The colors of my work in Africa are a bit more natural and closer to nature. Like you’ll find in traditional Kuba Cloth (which is originally from Congo). Now living in the Caribbean I’m back to brighter colors, with a bit of a romantic twist. I think at the moment my work is becoming a mix of the different cultures I’ve lived in.
Could you tell us more about how you infuse joy and happiness into your art, and how this translates into an uplifting experience for those who view your work?
I would say that not all my art is filled with joy and happiness. My mood is pretty much reflected into my work. Like everyone else, I have days when I’m just not feeling the vibes. In my most recent work I like to play with different materials and layers of paint: some parts will have for example maybe 4 to 5 layers, while other parts will be left almost blank to see the underlaying pencil lines. To me this gives more depth and character to a piece.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
Not so much a specific piece that comes to mind, but more the situations I’m in. Living in different countries -and sometimes pretty remote places- can make it challenging to find good art supplies. In Africa for example it was almost impossible to find big canvas or good paper for a reasonable price. I only had some fine art paper I brought from the Netherlands and I discovered some oil paint and ink in a little book shop. I never worked with both in my art so it was good to experiment and challenge myself. It created the opportunity to develop my skillset and make something new that became maybe even more interesting.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
Mostly via friends, colleagues and Social Media. Not sure if I truly follow trends in the art world.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I believe in the ‘saying’ that in art there are no mistakes. However, sometimes you don't see something until someone else says something about the painting and then you can't 'unsee’ it. If this happens I always pick up the brush and make changes until I am happy. And almost always I’m happier with the 'new' end result. This piece is an example of where that happend, she’s had like a million different faces, because I just couldn’t find the ‘right’ face for her.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I just keep painting and make art. And sometimes I stop for a while… until I pick up the brush again and randomly start painting something.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I’m very excited!
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I’ve never been very good at setting goals. But it would be very cool to have my own art exhibition in a charming little gallery in a vibrant city one day. Focussed on raising awareness for a good cause would be the cherry on top.