About the Artist

Mia Brown (b. San Francisco 1967) works and operates her studio and business out of San Rafael CA. Living under 10 miles away in Novato CA, Mia commutes to her studio nearly everyday to work towards the singular goal of creating work that can be seen by others.
In Mia's own words, she is "an artist who happens to have a disability," creating paintings and textile works with a headwand-- a brush or stylus attached to a helmet that allows the movement of her head to negotiate both shape and pressure. Mia's cerebral palsy impacts the use of her hands and she has developed over time a system that benefits her desire and dedication to create. Mia's abstract paintings are characterized by dynamic color combinations and varying textures, each alluding to the experimentation Mia allows in her process. Her paintings are informed by her interests, her life experiences, and the natural world, allowing us to access her emotions and spirit through painting.

Over the years, Mia has created a large body of work and in turn, gathered substantial experience in the art world-- from running her own business with the support of the Income Opportunities Unlimited Program at Casa Allegra Community Services to showcasing her original works, along with reproductions on cards, mugs, and calendars that Mia has sold at exhibitions and festivals in Marin County and nearby regions, as well as online.

Since the establishment of her business in 2009, Mia has been able to transition from student to art professional, partaking in her own Open Studio annually where the general public is invited to purchase paintings and interact with the artist. Mia is also available for self-advocacy work to tell others of her success and personal and professional growth, for she finds her art practice and business therapeutic and has enabled her to create a space that is "good for [her] mind and keeps [her] focused and occupied."

Mia is currently represented by Artlifting. Artlifiting empowers artists living with homelessness or disabilities through the celebration and sale of their artwork. ArtLifting is about creating opportunity, empowerment, and validation.

Through ArtLifting, every artist earns 55% from the sale of their work; 1% from each sale goes to a fund, which provides art supplies to therapy groups nationwide; and ArtLifting uses the remaining 44% to further their mission. 

http://www.artlifting.com/collections/mia-brown

contact: downtownmiabrown@gmail.com

Exhibtions of Note

Mia has shown at the DeYoung Museum, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Studio 333, Marin Society of Artists Gallery, NIAD Art Center, and more. 

She is an active member of Marin Open Studios, Marin MOCA, and Marin Society of Artists.

Mia has two open studios a year. To sign up for her mailing list to receive more information about these events as well as other exhibitions and sales, please click here.