Meet Miranda Byk | Artist

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

Hi Miranda, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursed a career in the arts because it’s something that came naturally to me, that I found immense joy in doing. I am lucky enough to live in a city and be a part of a community that is able to support these endeavors for emerging artists like myself. I am able to do something I am passionate about and have the ability to do so because of my peers, family, and colleagues.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a painter working primarily in oil, sometimes acrylic. I make ephemeral, dream-like paintings using my own personal narrative and find inspiration in nature, plants and insects specifically. Using these images I explore themes such as the passage of time, the cycle of life, and the ephemerality of existence. I had a solo exhibition at Sow & Tailor this past November in 2022 and I am most proud of that body of work. I took up painting when the pandemic started after a hiatus and would often post work on my personal instagram. I was approached by a gallery (Sow & Tailor) to participate in an exhibition they were putting together. I began showing work at their gallery and other galleries, so that’s how my career in the arts began. I’ve learned many lessons along the way, but starting out I realized that if I stayed dedicated and painted things I enjoyed that, hopefully, other people would be able to enjoy my work as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Because I grew up in Los Angeles, there are many places to eat, drink, explore, etc. that I have in my memory bank. Between where I grew up in West LA and where I live now in East LA there are many staples I would bring friends to, The Apple Pan for the best burgers, Langer’s Deli for the reuben, Angel’s Tacos for the al pastor, The Silverlake House for Thai. My favorite local bar is The Red Lion Tavern, I also like 4100 Bar and Cole’s, they also have amazing French dip sandwiches. Of course there are many galleries and museums to visit, LACMA and MOCA are classic Los Angeles museums, and some galleries to visit are Sow & Tailor, South Willard, Anat Ebgi, Matthew Brown, Goodmother, Sebastian Gladstone, SPY Projects, all places where many of my peers have shown. It’s always fun to visit the LA river it’s a great place to get a coffee, walk or bike around. The Angeles forest is also a really great place to drive up and hike, walk down to creeks, and be out in nature.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my parents who have always encouraged me to do something I love.

Website: www.mirandabyk.com

Instagram: @cry_baby_blu

Image Credits
Image credit Sow & Tailor, Grant Gutierrez, Josh Schaedel