I’m Mindy Wara
ARTIST
WRITER
DESIGNER
MARKETER
…but above all, STORYTELLER
Once curiosity begins to flow, I get swept up in its current. Whether exploring a new medium or researching my next collection, I soak up all the information I can hold until it floods my studio, saturating my artwork with a deepened understanding and fresh perspective.
While my creative practice spans several mediums, including fiber arts, multimedia collage, sculpture, acrylics, poetry, and prose, I am best known for my evocative, abstract watercolor paintings. Each piece I create sparks curiosity about our world and introspection about our experiences within it.
WHAT I DO
SCULPT
PAINT
WEAVE
EXHIBIT
EXPLORE
WRITE
COLLABORATE
DESIGN
EDUCATE
MY STORY
2010
Met my future husband in college while studying to be an English teacher and poet.
Participated in my first craft fair selling greeting cards, crocheted hats, and other handmade accessories.
2012
Graduated, married my best friend, and moved to Canada for my husband’s graduate program.
I couldn’t teach in Canada, so I nannied for a wonderful family and created art projects and costumes for the kids I cared for.
2015
Gave birth to my son, Oliver.
While I loved being a new mother, my perinatal anxiety and depression and kept me in a pretty dark place.
2016
Enrolled in my first watercolor class and was immediately humbled, frustrated, and in love with the medium.
I painted gifts for friends and family, but got burnt out creating for others instead of myself.
2017
Began working closely with civil rights and reproductive health organizations.
With a background in art and writing, I quickly fell into marketing and design.
2020
Lost two family members during the pandemic, was forced to slow down, and was reminded that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
I returned to my creative practice with renewed passion and founded Mindy Wara Studio.
2021
Launched my first abstract body of work, The Postpartum Collection, which was exhibited at the Parallel Artist-Mother Show.
Began exploring my neurodivergence.
2022
Transitioned out of my day job to working in the studio full-time!
Began offering marketing and design services to perinatal and mental health organizations alongside my artwork.
2023
Pushed myself to work outside of my comfort zone by handpainting Yahara, a 5-foot tall fiberglass dragon, for a public art installation.
2024
Began blurring the lines between my fine art and marketing and design work through multimedia collages and a return to poetry writing.
Started offering reproductions alongside my original artwork.
Contributed to Ember: A Creative Workbook for Mothers.
Core Values
In our lives and in our work, upholding our core values bring us closer to the things, people, and opportunities that speak directly to who we are and what we’re about.
SELF KNOWLEDGE
Introspection is a personal journey towards discovering, understanding, and trusting our most authentic selves.
CURIOSITY
Leading with curiosity is giving ourselves permission to expand - discovering a multitude of intersections and parallels we’ve yet to explore.
CREATIVITY
Creativity transcends the ways in which we use our skills and tools. It is a transformative process intertwined with our lived experiences.
CONNECTION
Bravely sharing and amplifying our stories validates the lived experiences of others and empowers them to do the same. In this courageous way, we build communities founded on empathy.
MY VISION:
A world in which everyone can boldly embraces their authentic selves and unapologetically shares their story in creative, impactful ways. Together, we’ll break down barriers, inspire empathetic connections, and drive positive change.
What I’m proudest of…
AMPLIFYING OUR STORIES
The most impactful way to spread empathy is through sharing our stories. I’ve presented on the power of storytelling at national conferences, on webinars, and at social justice events, teaching others how to strategically amplify their voices to ensure their stories are heard.
I’ve shared my experiences with perinatal anxiety and depression, sexual assault, and other deeply personal topics on public stages - it is important, though exhausting, work. However, being loud isn’t the only way to be heard. I’ve also contributed my own story as guest author for Moms Mental Health Initiative, The Touchstone Institute, and other publications and organizations, with the hope of validating others’ experiences and fostering positive societal change.
NEURODIVERGENT ARTIST-MOTHER COLLECTIVE
During the first winter of the pandemic, I was completely isolated from the art community. I knew I needed to connect with other mothers pursuing creative careers, but the large cohorts in most artist-mother spaces didn’t offer the authentic connection I was seeking. However, I did meet my co-founders, Savonna Atkins and Miriam Medina, by chance at one of these events and we hit it off right away.
Each of us was exploring our own paths as artists and mothers while also beginning to discover our own neurodivergences. Our weekly meet-ups have since become a vital source of connection and validation. From these digital gatherings, NAMC was born - an online community that celebrates and supports the shared experiences of neurodivergent artists navigating their creative careers and parenthood.
AWARD WINNING-ARTIST
My creative work has been recognized with a 2023 Best Artist of Sun Prairie Award, featured interview on the cover of Neighbors of Windsor & DeForest Magazine in 2023, and 2022 ATHENA Award nomination.
I am humbled by these honors and grateful that my work resonates with so many.
