In conversation with... Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka (Studio IMO)

So Ibi, tell us a little bit about yourself

I'm a mother of 2 living in a seaside town with my partner after moving away from the hustle of London 10 years ago. I've loved drawing ever since I was a kid and would draw everyday right into my late 20's. But somewhere along the way I stopped. It's taken me over 10 years to find my way back. More recently I discovered acrylics for the first time, and I'm completely obsessed. I want to paint ALL the time.

You only started painting this year, in May, yet your originals are selling out in minutes! What inspired you to begin painting at this point in your life?

Yes! It's been really mad so far. I had no expectations about my paintings, I decided to share my progress journey on instagram and things just kind of took off. My first collection of 15 paintings sold out in less than a week when I had less than 200 followers! My newest collection sold out in less than an hour. Wild!

Honestly, I think watching my kids create so freely and without self-doubt or judgement has allowed me to remember so much about my childhood self that was obsessed with art. Dreams that I had put aside in the name of "growing up". To know that my paintings are connecting with people on some level is really validating and healing for me, it spurs me on.

 

You’ve mentioned that you’re interested in human connection and the time we spend alone with ourselves. How do you explore these themes through your art?

The older I get the more I cherish the important relationships in my life, that includes the relationship I have with myself. A lot of my paintings feature people on their own, often sitting at tables, maybe at home, maybe not. For some this can feel uncomfortable and lonely perhaps. For others is pure heaven, a way to recharge, a time to think. There's a bit of both in me. I love to be around people but my social battery drains fairly quickly. I value time alone. Especially being a mother which means there is rarely time to really switch off and decompress. I also enjoy painting people together in social settings, one to one or a group of friends or family just enjoying one another.

 

 

Your originals sell out incredibly quickly. How does it feel to have such an immediate and positive response to your work so early in your journey as a painter?

It's something I'm still processing I think. Of course it's wonderful, validating and exciting. but it's also important to me not to be too drawn into any perceived successes and keep creating in a way that feels authentic and truthful to me. To discover this connection I have to painting at this point in my life feels like a gift from the universe, I want to protect it , nurture it and cherish it. New doors are opening, just because I said yes to my gut feeling. A feeling I've never been able to fully put my finger on, but one that felt particularly urgent and more clear as I woke up on my birthday this year. My gut said paint, and I did and now look!. Magic.

 

 

How do you approach your painting process? Do you have a clear vision before you start, or do you let the work evolve as you go?

I have a sketchbook that I use to get my ideas down, whenever something comes to mind. I leave out any detail. It's usually a quick pencil sketch, some new shapes. Or I might use it to figure out a tricky posture. Once I have figured it out I'm unlikely to look at it again. I aim to keep my process as organic and spontaneous as possible. I rarely know what I will paint when I begin, or which colours I'll use. I don't want to think about it too much, I really enjoy the process of uncovering what's happening as it happens, it's such a satisfying process.

Since solitude seems to be an important aspect of your work, how does the time you spend alone influence your creative process? Is it a meditative experience for you?

My 'alone time' is everything to me. Sometimes it's an opportunity to organise my thoughts, examine new ones and release old ones. But mostly it allows me to relax and go deep  enough for my imagination to stir, for little invisible connections to be made. Solitude often helps me feel rested and connected to myself. The act of painting is definitely meditative for me, it becomes more challenging and less intuitive if I'm tired so I'm trying to make rest a priority.

 

 

Given your focus on human connection, do you feel that there’s a unique relationship between you and those who purchase your art?

That's an interesting question...my art is connecting me to people that have a really deep appreciation for art, people from different backgrounds that are willing to invest in it as they believe it's something that will enhance their life in some way. Of course it's not possible for most of us to buy original pieces. But thankfully there are many other ways we can surround ourselves with the art we love. I'm also discovering on a different level that I'm often not thinking about 'meaning' when I paint, preferring to see what flows out naturally. But, the conversations I've been having with the people purchasing my work often come from them searching for the meaning behind the paintings or perhaps confirmation that what they get from it, is what I intended.

Painting is still very new for me, so I am not able to connect all the dots right away, and that's ok I think. I'm learning through these conversations, but I'm also learning who I am as an artist. Conversation is good but it can also misattribute perspectives that might not feel authentic for me.

 

What’s next for you as an artist? Do you have any new themes or projects you’re excited to explore moving forward?

I'm fairly open right now. I have some exciting projects coming up. I'm excited for the challenge of creating bodies of work that push me to new levels as an artist. I'm hoping to move into my own studio and paint everyday. Right now I paint at home which is easier for me around my kids schooling and self-employment, but it feels like the time to perhaps take another leap of faith. I want to create huge soulful, colourful works and see them hanging in galleries and homes. I'm excited to explore it all, this is just the beginning.

 

 

What message or emotion do you hope people take away when they see one of your paintings?

Joy I'd hope! Quiet joy, loud joy. Feelings of comfort, family and connection. My Nigerian heritage shapes my art as much as my Black British identity. I love art that speaks to me in some way, but quite honestly I could never really find "me" in any of them. I don't mean on a surface level, but rather all the quirky little nuances that make up who I am. A me that is not only depicted through the lens of pity, trauma and suffering. A complex, me. A carefree me, a joyful me. I hope that people are able to find themselves in my work no matter who they are. Art is a powerful tool for pulling people out of the darkest places, and should be enjoyed by everyone.

 

 

You’ve had remarkable success in such a short time. What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out or hesitant to begin their creative journey?

If it's calling to you, LISTEN. The world has a way of making our dreams seem far-fetched, unrealistic. Most people won't even try. I did not do anything exceptional, I was simply willing to share what I had so far, regardless of whether I felt my work was 'good enough', and fortunately for me my paintings are finding their audience.
I honestly believe that your most fulfilling life will come to you by facing down your fear of failure or rejection. It's not always going to be easy, but you can take baby steps. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.