An Interview with Artist and Writer: Midouri
Interview by Emerian Mordrige for Dark Lives magazine

Midouri, the dreamy, twenty-something mother, caught up in the passion of life and longing was one of the first creators to be published in Dark Lives I.  Since then, many of her works have graced the pages.

On a cold, foggy afternoon, I asked the following questions and she agreed to answer.

DL:  Where do you get your inspiration?

M: I’m a very passive person, so I’m inspired by anger or sadness.  I never think of the right thing to say at the right time and I let that out in my art and writing.  It allows me to be angry or sad without compromising my peaceful exterior.

DL:  Growing up, who was your role model?

M:  My mother.           

DL:  What is your favorite drawing you’ve done and why?

M:  The one of the naked chick lying on the bed with the wine glass on the floor.  It tells about how I was feeling in my life at the time.  To me, that drawing expresses carnal weakness being the death of a soul.

DL:  What is your favorite dark movie and why? 

M:  I love the first Crow.  I think it’s a beautiful story about how true love and justice surpasses life and death.

DL:  What is your favorite book?

M:  “Swan Song” by Robert R McCammon.  It’s a huge book about a little girl who had a supernatural power of healing.  She lives through a nuclear holocaust and starts healing the planet and the people who survived.  I like it because it best represents my life.  I’ve been through so much and still can live productively and love people and see the beauty of life and want to live it.

DL:  What is your favorite famous artwork and why?

M:  I love anything by Thomas Kincade.  He paints all of those happy little warmly lit cottages.  I like his art because it’s so beautiful and quiet, there’s almost an eeriness to it.

DL:  What memory do you cherish from your childhood?

M:  Oddly enough, Sunday mornings right before church.  The house smelled like breakfast and everyone was freshly showered all at the same time.  And because we were on our way to church, no one was arguing or grumpy.

DL:  While we’re on the subject, how do you feel about organized religion? 

M:  I feel that most organized religions are really dishonest, hypocritical and intolerant of diversity.  Most of them are so hell bent on telling everyone that theirs is the right way, that they forget what their way is truly about.

DL:  What do you think the point of life is?

M:  To build as much character as you can by living, taking chances and losing sometimes.  The person with the most character at the end, wins.  Like a big elimination round.

DL:  What town were you brought up in?

M:  Franklin, TX.  It allowed me to view what life is not supposed to be like.  I left when I was eight and will never go back.

DL:  Do you collect anything?

M:  I collect thoughts.

DL:  Who is your favorite person in your life?

M:  My daughter.  She’s so simple and makes me simple too.  When I’m feeling too big for my britches she helps me to ground me and see the simple solution to a problem.

DL:   If there were one thing you could teach your child, what would it be?

M:  Even though there are evil and terrible bad awful people in the world, their lives are theirs and you have to let them live it.  If it affects your life then so be it.  It builds strength in character.  Divinity will not place upon you anything you are not fitted by nature to bear.

DL:  How do you feel about being involved with Dark Lives?

M:  I feel that it is a big stepping-stone for me.  I love being a part of a select group of very talented people.  I get to admire their work and am completely stoked when they admire mine.

DL:  What would your tombstone say?

M:  Told you I was sick.

Thank you Midouri for sharing your thoughts and outlook on life with us.  We look forward to publishing your works for years to come!