Mimi Jones

Why the West Africa Collection? I want to share the beauty I see around me and am inspired by images that need to be shared with the world. Most people will never have a chance to go to West Africa and see the elegance and inspiring simplicity of people who have wealth that is not monetary. Working in oils brings depth to my images and I add texture with a pallet knife. I studied art for several years in Canada and South Africa and quit my corporate career in 2016 to paint full-time. Looking for inspiration, I rode my bicycle down the west coast of Africa in 2018, over 6,500 km through 7 countries for 3 months, capturing images of the amazingly beautiful, proud and friendly people living in the real rural conditions of some of the most poor countries in the world. I am excited and proud for being chosen to present my West Africa collection for the first time at the TOAF.