Meet Mira Mikati | Designer & Doodler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mira Mikati and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mira, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Hard work is the key to success.” – Is it? So, if you’re doing well putting in 40 hours a week, will doubling that make you more successful? Of course not. We’re constantly conditioned to believe that putting your head down, “hustling” and “grinding it out” is the way to success. While this may work for some (and suddenly they are an aspiration), and despite it draining your soul and causing you to miss out on family, friends and overall life, there are many keys to success. One of them that no one talks about is good ol’ Lady Luck. Another is knowing where you’re headed, and having a realistic plan of getting there. Another is general timing of the universe, the people around you, where you are located etc…many things beyond your control. There is one thing you can control though. And that’s working smart. Working smart and not hard. They are not the same thing. What does that mean? Learning how to delegate tasks if possible. Having tools and systems to keep you organized. Outsourcing menial parts of your work. Allowing yourself to hire out time consuming things even in your personal life if you have the budget. Giving yourself time to live, decompress and be healthy so that you don’t hit a brick wall of burn out. When you’re able to actually think, and plan, and strategize, because you’ve structured your life in a way where you aren’t in that ‘fight or flight’ work mode, you’ll be able to jump forward faster than if you’re just pushing forward blindly. I haven’t quite gotten there yet, but that’s the way I’m personally trying to do it now. I spent most of my life in the work ‘hard mentality’ and while I have my certain successes because of it, I wouldn’t consider myself a successful person yet. You can work hard your entire life, to forget where you’re even headed, and to have missed everything else that happened along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It makes me proud to even be an “artist”. It took me a long time to accept that word. To feel like I deserved it, and on my dark days I still don’t think I do. I’ve had a long journey getting here, and in my youth, when art/design was an option, I was influenced into a scientific life because it was ‘safer’ and afforded a guaranteed future. Being a straight A student and having all options available to me didn’t help either. So, I went through those other roads. I spent years pursuing and trying different things, only to end up almost exactly where I started. But, with knowledge this time. So now, I get to create these ‘things’. With lines, and paint, and put them on a wall, and somehow people like them and want them. It still blows my mind. And I recognize that I’m still at the beginning. I’m even learning that I enjoy and desire to make products and wearable art, and not just traditional art. My brand, my art, and I will always be evolving. Always staying fresh, experimenting with new materials & avenues and you never know what to expect.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I’m a virgo so here’s a list, and let’s just assume this is post covid: – Charter a boat to fish the bay. I love fishing and I bet we could catch some snapper. P.S. Take the fresh fish to Whiskey Joe’s and they’ll clean and cook it for you any way you like! – Hit the beach around 74th. It’s quieter and more chill. We might even head to haulover if we wanna spice it up. Make sure to have some ceviche in that cooler next to the Veza Sur beers. – Rent bikes to see all the Art Deco architecture in South Beach – Take a day trip down to the keys with a stop at “Robert is Here” for fresh fruit & milkshakes. – Explore Little Havana: have a cortadito at Versailles, some croquettas from a random ventanita, fresh juice at a little market, watch dominos being played at Domino park, and end with a salsa class at Ball & Chain before dancing the night away. – Venture south to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and then get a delicious artisan caffeine fix at Brewing Buddha Cafe (don’t forget the avocado toast, it’s a work of art) before heading to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s. – Wynwood of course: Grab some luscious ube ice cream from Dasher & Crank, or a passion fruit paletta (stuff with condensed milk) from Morelia’s while you walk around and take in all the amazing ever changing graffiti/murals. Grab some tacos at The Taco Stand, or a slice of Pizza at Gramps, before jumping around from place to place for some dancing. You have your reggaeton at El Patio or Wynwood Marketplace. Reggae at Coyo (secret club in the back of a taco shop), and one of my favs, hip hop & RnB at Wood Tavern. – Rainy day? No problem. Art is on the mind. Must go the Rubell if you like contemporary art. They have Yayoi Kusama exhibits too. I also like the De La Cruz, and ICA as well. This is important in regards to dining in Miami. Everyone knows about the fancy restaurants, and there are way too many to list. But do yourself a favor. Eat off the grid too. Have some empanada’s, enjoy an arepa or cachapa. Fresh fish is served everywhere. Try some Peruvian food (Sabor a Peru is my spot), ceviche is life. And if you find yourself around 79th st, order B&M Market to go (oxtail stew and jerk chicken), if it’s good enough for Bourdain, it’s good enough for me. Rule of thumb, if there’s a line out the door, it’s usually good.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Tough one. I’ve been lucky to have had my life influenced (positively) by a number of great people, but the team at HGAB Studios definitely stands out. They’ve become my best friends over the years, and through the culture & community they’ve built I’ve been able to meet some of the greatest people & artists, and my growth both personally and professionally would not be the same if it weren’t for all the time and interactions I’ve had at HGAB.

Website: miradoodles.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/miradoodles/

Image Credits
Mira Mikati