Meet Mireille Feu-Mer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mireille Feu-Mer.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a creative household so art has always been in my life. I am the first of my family’s generation to be born in America and lucky to be able to strive for my dreams of being a full-time creator. After years and years of running away from being an artist, in college I finally changed my major from Sports Medicine to Graphic Design and Digital Media. It wasn’t until college though that I was learning technical art skills and my art improved. I am inspired by nature in all forms. The human body, outer space, the ocean, forests, and what I’ve yet to see. These are usually themes in my art. Creating a world, my own interpretation of nature.

It’s intimidating trying to be a full-time artist. I was always around the phrase “artists starve” or “you only become known once you die” two phrases that no success driven Capricorn wants to hear. I grew up in a small little beach town in Florida where my dad owns a Mediterranean restaurant and always reminded me that hard work is key. My grandpa started that restaurant in 1983 and passed it along to my father who is now teaching my brother the ropes. If you couldn’t tell, we are very family-oriented. Deciding to move to Los Angeles was definitely a shock for my family and I believe a part of them still doesn’t understand why. I knew I needed to be around other like-minded and driven entrepreneurs. I knew I needed to struggle and get myself on my own feet without having something to fall back on. I am so grateful to have such a supportive family who wants to see me happy and succeed no matter what that encompasses.

I currently live in LA freelancing graphic design, selling my art/prints, I choreograph dances on the side and experiment with instruments and other art forms. I frequently camp in the wilderness with incredible human beings/ artists/ creators who support and inspire me. I know I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

Has it been a smooth road?
Self-doubt has been my biggest obstacle. At one point, I continuously said I was in a “creative block” and “I’m not creative enough” and I literally created this story which made it so difficult to just release and not overthink what I was doing. I was always living in the “what do people want to see” rather than creating from my soul. The fear of failure is real and the fear of success even more so and dangerous. It kept me in a limbo of not producing anything. Fear of success for me has been a “well what if people actually like this, how will I be able to continue producing what they want” and the stress of creating became loud.

Embracing my inner artist child was key. I had left her so long ago deep within so I could be an “adult.” We’re talking at six-years-old I felt I needed to be mature and an example. Yes, creativity and imagination were always there but I repressed it and told myself artists starve and I needed to do something structured and safe… Now, as most of us know, the cost of living in LA takes a toll and to be a freelance artist brings about a whole new struggle and hustle. I can honestly say even with financial burden, I am happier now striving for what I love than I was when I was trying to find something safe. My mental health is now more important to me than forcing myself to work in a job that drains me “but pays the bills”. It’s funny because as much as there is a fear of survival, everything continues to work out and I believe it will continue to do so.

Please tell us more about your art.
My art has become an extension of myself. My art and performance is an embodiment of one of the many facets that make up Mireille Feu-Mer. I am constantly exploring and trying new mediums, new ideas and concepts.

I’m most known for fine art, painting and drawing. I have a background in graphic design and digital media. I love branding and logo work as well as illustration. Right now, I am working on combining my fine art with my digital art. My fine art style is what I like to call Surrealistic. I love creating worlds and concepts that make people think and wonder. I love incorporating nature, outer space and androgynous women. I have a theme of these cliffs that I am finally starting to dive into more. They were all over my sketchbooks and I never thought to bring them to my painting world. I am now bringing this world to life.

As an over all-encompassing, I want to be the voice for those who have been quieted. The ones who feel like what they have to say won’t make a difference and those who are physically unable due to society or even family. I am all about self-empowerment and I want my creative works to provoke emotion and inspire.

If you ever catch me painting, you will most likely see me bust out the dance moves. Dancing gets me in an emotional flow and the music I play sets my mood. Most of the time, I would describe my favorite music to listen to as silky and I am always about something that makes me want to move and groove.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Personally, I know I will be mixing fine art with digital, but I am continuously discovering who I am as an artist. My art is a visual representation of me finding myself as a person and an artist. I’ve been dipping my toes into so many outlets but I know I’m on the edge, balancing; getting ready to fully dive into what this creative world is all about. I guess when thinking of my industry, I can only say it’s in the realm of near magic. I can see that experimenting and trying new things and new mediums is an important part of the process. I believe that no matter where the “industry” is or what’s “trending,” you must be completely authentic to yourself and where you are in life. If you are living in truth, you’ll always have your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: mireillecreative.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @mireillefeumer
• Other: @merayofsunshine

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.