Mía Earls
Framed Identities

Mia is a figurative oil painter from Washington, D.C. whose work pulls inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, and who came to ´ace to produce a new body of work. Her paintings reflect idealized forms while maintaining a deep connection to contemporary subjects. Her large-scale works depict friends and strangers in candid moments, layering humor, intimacy, and psychological depth. Deeply influenced by her surroundings, Mia weaves personal objects and visual motifs into her compositions, embedding meaning within each scene. Her work explores themes of identity, appearance, and the subtle narratives that unfold in daily existence.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work explores the quiet complexities of everyday life, capturing moments of intimacy, humor, and psychological depth through large-scale oil paintings. Influenced by the idealized forms of the Italian Renaissance, I merge classical sensibilities with contemporary subjects, using light, gesture, and expression to examine identity and perception. I weave personal objects and visual motifs into each composition, creating layered narratives that reflect both individual experiences and broader cultural themes. A central focus of my practice is the depiction of women and the ongoing tension between beauty, agency, and objectification. I investigate how the female form has been historically framed as a passive subject and challenge these narratives by reclaiming women’s presence in my work. Through subtle shifts in posture, gaze, and setting, I explore the complexities of self-awareness, vulnerability, and defiance. By reinterpreting classical influences through a modern lens, my paintings aim to honor the depth of everyday moments while questioning how we engage with the female body in art.