Meet Mia Semone Flagg-McNeill | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia Semone Flagg-McNeill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia Semone, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, it was the only path that I could see myself doing without losing any passion for it. While I was in high school I was stressed out about a lot of things, mostly what to major in for college which in my mind was basically deciding what to do for the rest of my life. Most of my high school experience was about preparing for college – keeping up my grades, participated in clubs/volunteering, college classes during school and the summer, etc. By the time I was a Junior, I knew why I was doing all these things, but for what… I was expected to do all these things but for what end goal? All this stress for what… I think after that I started to spiral.

I remember waking up one day and realized I slept through my alarms and missed all my classes. I ran into my parent’s room, ready to apologize for my mistake, all to find out my mom called the school saying I was sick. Apparently she tried to wake me up but instead of responding groggily, I woke up crying. I was saying things like “I can’t do it anymore”, begging her to not make me go and I didn’t stop until she gave in. I recall none of this and it was safe to say at that point that I needed a change. I think my parents knew that too since there wasn’t any push back when I decided to drop my advanced classes, cut my club participation and graduate with my friends instead of going to college early. I pushed my last extracurricular credit into my Senior year and filled my schedule with the only classes I enjoyed, Art.

It was the best decision I have ever made and that entire year was pure bliss. I was able to push all those nagging questions about my future in the back of my mind for now and just be in the moment, something I wasn’t able to do for a long time. I was enjoying the present and put my full focus on my art. Eventually I was the first and last person in the art room (LITERALLY, my art teacher gave me the keys to the room). I realized I wanted to do more, learn more, be more and I didn’t know much about being a professional artist at the time but I wanted to do it anyway. I finally felt driven and passionate, it made me feel whole and I felt like I found my purpose. Yes, there have been times since then that it’s been stressful but I still haven’t lost my drive and I think that’s a sign that I’m where I’m suppose to be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well I would describe my art as whimsical and vibrant, I have a graphic style but I have been more experimental lately. I usually gravitate towards more fantastical themes but as long as the ideas are exciting and bold, I’m interested in exploring. As an illustrator I’ve been able to branch out and work in Children’s Book Illustration, Apparel Design, and Advertising but I’m trying to get experience in feature film and/or tv.

I’m proud that I’ve been able to work on different types of projects and contracts, but I still haven’t landed anything concrete. The job hunt is as fierce as ever and in my opinion I still haven’t gotten my foot in the door. Have I made progress as a professional, for sure, but not enough in my eyes (some say I’m hard on myself but it is what it is). Along the way I have acknowledged that the challenges I’ve overcome are significant – the weight of rejection, an unexpected sour end with a boss, ghosted after verbally confirmed contracts in interviews, etc. All these obstacles took an emotional toll on me in the beginning and eventually I’ve learned to cope with them, I learned to not give them as much power as they did in the past and that it happens sometimes.

This career can be taxing, but in order to do the things I love about this job I have to be able move past the bad. This is obviously coming from experience with bad short term contracts I’m not going to work with again so maybe once that long term job comes along I’ll have a new and improved philosophy. Or maybe my brand kicks off, pushing me in the direction of an independent artist and all the ground work I’ve been putting in will have paid off. Either way, all I know is when the next opportunity comes my way I’ll be ready to hit the ground running again.

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.
If my friend was visiting Arlington, Texas I would inform them that a lot of the places I would want to take them have a significant distance between there and my house. But if they are comfortable with a long drive, I would suggest this go kart/water park place in rural Texas. I’ve only been to the water park section but it’s literally a lake with 2 MASSIVE slides and I did muster up the courage to go down one of them once. It was great but also terrifying, it’s a good ‘chill out in the water with your family and watch someone daredevil off a slide’ kind of spot lol. It’s a whole day kind of event but it gives 4th of July vibes if you like that.

There are a few breakfast spots I would like to show them, one has seasonal menus that change every year (unless a returning favorite makes the cut). We can check out downtown and then do a Drive-In double feature, take the pickup truck, some comfy cushions, drinks and snacks, and enjoy the cool breeze. There’s also this cool adult arcade spot that you can drink and play as much as you want and then we can grab a bite at one of the surrounding restaurants open past midnight afterwards.

But if we want to just enjoy each other’s company only, catch up and not be bothered with driving, we could easily substitute one or all these experiences with a milder version at my house. We could wake up, make brunch, and eat it while catching up on my patio. We could blast our own music while we gossip on floaties in the pool and later pitch up the theatre screen before the sun sets. We could watch movies, play games, drink and then go inside to sleep whenever. Outside of those suggestions, I would be down to just seeing where the day takes us. Whatever floats your boat I am down to do because honestly I just like spending time with my friends no matter what the itinerary 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents definitely deserve a shoutout, they have supported me through all the highs and lows in my life and my career. Starting out I didn’t know that this journey would be arduous, but they have been there for me for all the set backs and achievements throughout the years. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without their love, encouragement and support. Along the way I found a long list of life long friends that walk this creative path with me and we have supported each other in every way possible. Some of you I see every week and others are so far away I can only message you online, but I know for a fact that when we see each other again it will be like no time has passed.

I want to also recognize my Ringling professors who showed me what I could achieve and pursue in the world of illustration. You all were a great help to me and our college community, your guidance was priceless. And to the one and only Mrs. Kouba, my high school art teacher, thank you for seeing the fire in me and stoking the flame. Thank you for basically letting me have the art room as my personal studio before and after classes, it was my space to experiment and explore what I wanted to do with my art and my life.

Website: https://www.miasemoneart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miasemone.art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-flagg-mcneill/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/miasemone_art

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvu5f8PgMRUHW6XxNr7-VyQ

Other: https://linktr.ee/miasemoneart