Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Mirocha.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Creating things has always been part of my life since I was very young, whether painting, drawing, or writing poetry in my olive green notebook that I still have as a memento of that time. As an adult, I followed my creative urgings – writing a novel or painting in watercolor even while working fulltime at the University of Minnesota, until my husband and I decided we’d had enough of city life and made the big move to a very small town in northern Minnesota with our 1-year-old baby. We made the leap of giving up our employment in order to be our own bosses under our business, Otter Creations, he with handmade jewelry and me with my visual art. We haven’t looked back. Being a fulltime mom was very fulfilling those first few years watching my daughter grow. At the same time, my dream grew to join my husband out on the show circuit and sell my art. Slowly but surely I kept creating and developing my art as I could fit in, and we flourished as a family. My husband was already involved in art fairs, and when my daughter was about ten, I made the decision to join him with my newly burgeoning output of paintings. Since then I have branched out in different areas creatively, including freelance illustrating four childrens pictures books for 3 different publishers while also following my other creative impulse as an author of a new book, a memoir called “Tree Trek: A Daughter’s Walk Through Grief,” set for release in May 2025.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Financially things are never cut and dry as a small business where our income cannot be anticipated or calculated until it comes in. We describe it as “getting by” but we are flourishing in other ways. I have the longed for freedom to express myself creatively, an opportunity that I did not have when working fulltime which drained my energy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My visual art takes many forms, from nature paintings to surreal and abstract expression. Watercolor was my first love and remains so, but I also paint in acrylic, oil, and silk painting. I’m proud of the various products I’ve innovated, including mini prints and small, original paintings on birch bark that allow people to take a little bit of my art home. My childrens picture books that I’ve illustrated have won national awards, which feels like a great honor being recognized. These awards include the 2010 Next Gen Indie Award for Juvenile Nonfiction (“My Little Book of Bald Eagles”) and the 2016 Giverny Award for “Frog in the House” which brings art and science together. I feel that my art captures a spark of life and joy that is all around us every day. This gives me a sense of purpose and meaning in my work.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Aitkin is a very small town. I like the friendliness, and the fact that you can see people you know everyday at the grocery store shopping for example, and the connections that come from that. Small towns also allow you to do your errands very quickly because there isn’t very far to go!
Pricing:
- $27.00, original painting on birch decoration, entirely made from foraged birch bark
- $9.95, mini print magnet with hanger
- $475.00, original watercolor painting
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stephaniemirocha.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemirocha/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemirocha.art
