Congratulations to Mika Denny for earning her place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award 10th Edition!

Who are you?

My name is Mika (pronounced Meeka) Denny. I was born and raised in Laguna Beach, California. My love for art was evident even as a toddler when I would constantly draw teeny, tiny circles with a pencil. I always knew I would become an artist in some way. Growing up with creative parents in a city full of artists, galleries, and annual art festivals was truly inspirational. I was awarded a four-year scholarship from the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts to pursue a creative arts degree in college. In 1988, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. After a successful, decades-long career in graphic design and years of raising my children, I finally embarked on a journey of creative exploration, delving into painting, ceramics, and crafting. In 2018, I found my place and rediscovered my true love for drawing figurative art.

What inspired you to utilize drawing as a medium?

Holding a pencil in my hand is a core, foundational memory for me. After 50-plus years, it is and will always be my favorite way of making art. Using pencils in my artwork allows me to capture fine details and subtle nuances. With the addition of PanPastel, I can contrast the precise lines of pencil with softer, more gestural marks, creating a balance between detailed drawing and a painting-like delicacy. This mix of media enhances my art by combining structure with spontaneity, which I find very appealing.

How would you describe your ARTwork?

My portraits lean towards realism but when I am up close creating the work it feels abstract to me. All these small shapes and marks blend together to make my portraits come to life; and yet I don't want them to look hyper realistic. I want the viewer to know it's created by hand and not a photo.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your finalist work?

“Ella the Fierce” was inspired by a photo of an instagram friend of mine. I asked permission to create a portrait of her daughter Ella and she agreed. The part of the portrait that intrigued me the most was her confident demeanor. There was something so regal and bold about her pose and expression.

Typically, women and girls are expected to smile in their photos, which reflects a larger pattern of policing women’s behavior and societal expectations for women to appear pleasant or cheerful. Portraying a young girl who confidently meets anyone‘s gaze on her own terms is what I set out to capture.

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your finalist work?

Approaching this work, I set out to create everything in charcoal and pastel but I knew I wanted to incorporate color in an interesting and unique way. Her quilted sleeves and bodice gave me the idea to use patterned paper. After completing the portrait drawing, I hand cut the papers and carefully spray mounted them onto the work. I added PanPastel in some areas on top of the papers to create depth and drew in buttons and details to further develop a look of realism. Despite how tedious it was, my favorite part was drawing the lace collar. I adore how it turned out. I have had the opportunity to exhibit this piece and love to see people look at it. They always lean in close to figure out how the work was done. The paper is unexpected.

What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?

I want my work to inspire connection. I’m interested in the silent narratives and captured emotions of people from all walks of life. Each individual, unique in their own way, has a story waiting to be told. I want viewers of my portraits to be intrigued by the subject and want to know more about the individual person. Beyond that, I also want people to appreciate the skill and hours dedicated to creating such a piece.

Can you discuss your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

Overcoming the fear of trying something new and being bold enough to work outside of my traditional materials made this piece special. Initially, I was unsure if using paper instead of drawing the fabric would be the right solution but I persevered through it and was happy with the result. Despite the advice to stick to what you know and master it, I discovered that blending the boundaries between drawing and mixed media was the key to unlocking my creativity for this piece.

Can you share with us the best piece of advice you have received so far?

Not sure where I heard this but believing in yourself as an artist is key, because if you don't believe in yourself, who will? Overcome self doubt, and imposter syndrome and go for it!

What projects are you working on currently?

I'm continuing to look at ways to evolve my work and to add color and aspects of contemporary realism to my portraits. I'm still exploring, which makes the journey so much more interesting. I am also developing a series of drawings inspired by “Muse Encounters”. Everyday people that I meet in public places. The process of approaching strangers and asking if I can take their photo to use as a reference is scary, yet thrilling, particularly when they say yes!

What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?

Creating a whole new body of work that has a connective theme is what I am hoping to accomplish in the next year. The dreamy part would be if I was able to focus on this work in a retreat environment in another country where I had a month to focus with no distractions. That would be amazing!

As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

As an emerging artist, it's valuable to put your work out there through competitions to build your resume. However, be prepared for rejection and don't let it discourage you. Instead, use rejection as motivation to keep improving. I also recommend entering local juried exhibitions. These events offer the opportunity to meet people in person and build a network of connections. This personal interaction can be incredibly beneficial for your artistic career.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

Finding your tribe of artists can be incredibly beneficial. You can start by following artists you admire on social media, learning from their experiences, and even attending their workshops to gain insights into their process. Joining a local art club is another great way to connect with other artists and grow your skills through classes, exhibitions, and events. Whether online or in person, being part of an art community can provide valuable support and a sense of belonging. For example, I joined an online Facebook community (Kara Bullock Artist Community) a few years ago. I began by sharing my work and received a lot of encouragement. This eventually led to opportunities to teach lessons for Kara's online school and even create my own courses. Finding your people can open up unexpected doors in your artistic journey!

To view more of Mika Denny

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