KelownaNowKelowna artist Mimi Moylan is hoping to raise funds to exhibit her work in New York City.Kelowna’s Mimi Moylan knows all-too-well about suffering for her craft, but she isn’t letting pain prevent her from reaching new goals.

The 26-year-old artist and yoga instructor has arthritis in her lower back and spondylolisthesis. It has resulted in more than one trip to her chiropractor, physio-therapist, massage therapist … anyone who can help, really.

“It’s very, very uncomfortable,” she said. “I’ve had six months of many sleepless nights.”

She has a fall last November down a flight of rain-slicked steps in Vancouver to blame.

Submitted imageHalf Way (acrylic on canvas, 20"x 36")“Most days are frustrating. Or I’m sleeping throughout the day rather than the night.”

At the same time, Moylan admits, the diagnosis has been a blessing in disguise. It has forced her to stay home more and concentrate on her art. That’s important now because Moylan has just been invited to display her work at New York City’s Agora Gallery.

Gallery directors found Moylan’s work online and invited her to apply — through email — this winter. At first, she didn’t put much stock into the idea, but after scanning the Agora website she realized what the potential payoff might be.

“I couldn’t say no,” she said.

A month and a half later, Moylan received the good news.

“To have this happen is an amazing opportunity in my career.”

Now the hard work begins.

She can submit 16 pieces for display in 10-square feet of gallery space. She wants to create new work specifically for New York, it will just come about a little differently. The back pain doesn’t let her work like she had in the past — sprawled out on the floor or sitting. She stands more and is using an easel now.

Spondylolisthesis causes pain when a vertebra shifts out of alignment and puts pressure on a nerve or another vertebra. Arthritis, or high-impact activities (like Moylan’s favourites, dirt-biking and snowboarding), can cause the condition.

What she can do, though, is put even more depth into each brushstroke

Whereas once she would work on one piece for a few hours, then take extended breaks, now pieces are being completed in shorter timeframe with increased focus.

That’s also helped her finished commissioned pieces. You can find Moylan’s work at The Hot Box yoga studio (look up the tree as you climb the stairs), at Wine and Art bar and Samesun hostels across North America. Her preferred medium is acrylic on canvas or wood burning. 

Submitted imageNorth Sky (acrylic on canvas 24X24")She creates larger pieces for all to enjoy and smaller, personal works. She contrasts big, bold colours with black-and-white imagery. There’s a graffiti-artist’s edge to her murals, a larger-than-life scope to what she calls her “galaxy landscapes” and a spiritual side to wood-burning pieces. 

Inspiration comes from Moylan’s other passions: yoga and meditation.

Sharing it with the world isn’t free, unfortunately. Agora has a business-minded approach to art. The gallery charges artists US$7,000 (and more) in exchange for the space, promotions and marketing for one year. It’s not something artists often do, Moylan admitted, especially those on limited budgets. Again, though, this opportunity was too important to ignore.

“At first, I didn’t think my art would qualify,” she said. “As an artist, we’re always so hard on ourselves, so I always think I can do better and my art’s not as good as other people’s. To hear that it is was so … overwhelming.”

To help Mimi Moylan get her artwork to New York, you can contribute through a GoFundMe account. Each donation of $100 or more may qualify for a personal piece of wood-burning art.