Márohu & Mimosa is more than a memorable name: for founder Katy, it was a calling. Fuelled by culture, creativity, and a long-ignored urge to make art, she creates vibrant illustrations centring people of colour with stories of strength, rest, and joy. Each piece of artwork is like an offering to herself and anyone else who needs it too. In this interview, she talks about the stars aligning, finding purpose, and finally answering the need to create.

What is Márohu & Mimosa?

Márohu & Mimosa is the name I’ve given to my artistic output. Currently digital art prints, greeting cards and illustrations.   

What’s the meaning behind the name?

I had been struggling to find the right name for a while. Then randomly, a Prince song called Starfish And Coffee popped into my headphones. It’s such a creative song (from such an amazing album), and when I heard it again for the first time in years, it took me on a random voyage through words and meanings and fish and stars… until I discovered the name ‘Márohu’.

Márohu is a star in Aquarius – my star sign – which was named by the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, which is half my heritage. The star is named after the Taino ‘cemi’ (meaning ‘ancestral spirit’) Márohu, protector of the sun.

All the stars aligned. This was the name. I had thought to pair it with ‘Mocha’ as a nod to the coffee in Prince’s song, but I drink a mocha maybe once a year, whereas a Mimosa cocktail… well, we don’t need to know how often I drink those. Let’s just say it felt more authentic. And so that’s how I landed on the name!

What was the inspiration that led you to create the brand?

I had been thinking about purpose and meaning for a while as I was lacking any feeling of fulfilment, while simultaneously complaining about not having a creative outlet. I had a weird epiphany moment in India (I know, such a cliché!) where I realised that I need to create art – that is how I can find purpose. And when I started creating, I thought I may as well start trying to sell it. I do still have a day job, but in that moment, everything felt really clear. And that feeling hasn’t gone away.

Since creating my artwork and cards, I have such a deeper sense of fulfilment. That ‘need’ to have a creative outlet, that I think we all have, is at last being answered.

“I need to create art – that is how I can find purpose”

Where did your artistic inclination develop from and how has it evolved over the years?

Most of my family on my mum’s side are creative – my mum was an art teacher, my aunt a fashion designer and illustrator, my uncle a carpenter – and so I grew up around painting, sewing, knitting and crafting. My degree was in Fine Art and I spent a few years painting murals in Liverpool, and supporting community arts projects. Then I got a ‘real’ job in London, and over the years did less and less artwork until the need to have a creative outlet took over early last year, and that was the start of this journey.

How does your heritage, culture and lived experiences shape Márohu & Mimosa?

Oh wow – in so many ways! To summarise, my illustrations mostly feature people of colour in positive settings, whether that’s strength, relaxation or joy. And that represents what I, as a person of colour who grew up in a majority white country (Wales), had to have in order to remain sane!

My illustrations often feature patterns inspired by fabrics that I have been gifted or that I have collected from my holidays in African countries. Colours, locations, music and traditions often show up in – or otherwise inspire my work.

How do you want your art to resonate with people?

This links back to the earlier answer, about strength, relaxation and joy. If people can connect with my art in any of these ways, that would make me very happy. 

Most of my illustrations have a mini story that you can read in their description. Badgal represents dignity, strength and fierce feminine energy, while Cosy is about rest, comfort and safety. I hope people find a work that resonates with them at that deeply personal level. It looks you in the eye and says, “this is what you need to hear/see/do/feel right now. I feel you. I’m here for you. Let’s go home together!”

What’s your vision for the brand?

I’m working on new pieces to grow the collection.  A couple of outlets are interested in stocking my products in-store, which would be amazing. The collection is currently made up entirely of digital art but I love to paint and make things, so… watch this space!

A proportion of all profit is donated to charity – that’s so important to me. In future, if I’m lucky enough to have big enough profits, I would love to partner with one or two relevant charities, so that customers can get to know who and what they’re supporting, and follow the charity’s story.

What does it mean to you as a creative outlet?

Márohu & Mimosa, along with my other artwork, has given me a purpose and a sense of fulfilment that I didn’t have before. I was feeling disillusioned with work (although I do love my day job) because there was zero creativity in it. I feel my most authentic self when I’m creating.

As a business owner, what keeps you going when things get tough?

My friends. (And art. And meditation. And wine.)

What’s been your best customer feedback so far?

My favourite feedback – although not actually from a customer, was over Christmas. Every time I wore the Christmas jumper from my collection – which I did at every opportunity, because I love it – everyone commented. Everyone loved those jumpers! I thought, wow I should have had a batch of them in my bag at all times – I would have sold loads!

Otherwise I’ve had lots of encouraging comments and a few repeat purchases, which really means so much, especially as I’m just starting out and building confidence in this space.

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