Mio: A Queer Artist Blending Music, Fandom, and Design

Mio, a 20-year-old designer and artist, exhibits a unique blend of music-inspired illustrations and fandom-fueled creativity. Mio’s artistic journey began at a very young age when his father introduced him to the wonders of Photoshop. “It all started with me goofing around on computers at a very young age. I was 6 or 7 and my dad would show me how to use Photoshop. That’s the ‘purest’ creation can ever get – just doing stuff out of boredom!” he recalls.

As he grew older, Mio found inspiration in the vibrant world of online fandoms, where he honed his skills and developed a distinct style that seamlessly combines his passions for music, alternative culture, and LGBTQ+ themes. “Later on I got involved in fandoms and was introduced properly to design by seeing all the fanart people were making. The Tumblr to artist/graphic designer pipeline. In general, the internet and music I consumed have played the biggest role in shaping me,” he explains.

Mio’s work often features vibrant colors, bold lines, and a touch of whimsy that reflects his love for alternative music and culture. He finds inspiration in the deep history of overlap between the queer community and fans of alternative music, allowing his personal experiences to seep into his art organically. Despite the challenges of being a young, queer artist navigating the professional world, Mio remains determined to build a career that allows him to express himself fully.

From Fandoms to Freelance

Mio’s artistic style is a reflection of his diverse interests and experiences. He describes his process as ever-evolving, always seeking to try new things and push the boundaries of his creativity. “I really don’t like sticking to one style so I naturally tend to change it up very often,” Mio explains. “I like trying out new things, I’d feel very deprived if I couldn’t do that.”

^{Via Instagram (@sogeumlab)}

Despite the challenges of being a young, queer artist navigating the professional world, Mio remains determined to build a career that allows him to express himself fully. “Is employment a myth!?!? It’s already so hard to find jobs being closeted offline, I imagine being out would make things even harder,” he says with a hint of humor.

However, Mio’s passion for his craft keeps him motivated, and he finds solace in the support of his artist friends. “They remind me this stuff is still worth doing,” he shares.

Embracing Queerness and Alternative Culture

^{Via Instagram (@sogeumlab)}

Mio’s identity as a queer person has had a profound impact on his artwork, with themes of LGBTQ+ love and resistance often finding their way into his pieces. “I like stuff that other queer people enjoy and HATE having to hide important things about myself,” he shares. “Being alternative also, I found community with queer people online easily.”

Mio’s work often features vibrant colors, bold lines, and a touch of whimsy that reflects his love for alternative music and culture. “I’m not an expert on the subject but fans of alternative music and the queer community are heavily overlapped with a deep history. It’s inevitable for some queerness to seep into my work even when it’s unintentional,” he explains.

As Mio looks to the future, his goals include building a strong reputation in the design world while continuing to learn and grow as an artist. He encourages other young, queer artists to embrace their individuality and not limit themselves in any way. “Do not confine or limit yourself in ANY way! Do things out of your comfort zone, find communities, learn new forms of art, enjoy more art!” he exclaims.

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You can find Mio’s work on Instagram (@sogeumlab) and he has upcoming projects in the works. With his unique style, passion for music, and commitment to queerness, Mio is an artist to watch.