By Krystle J Bailey
Atlantic City-based artist Miko Beach is passionate about creating a safe space for LGBTQIA+ artists to create, connect, and collaborate. Growing up as an aspiring artist from Ventnor, he longed for a supportive and safe community of beautiful people and passionate creatives. He’d often skip classes and find refuge in the art room, where he was free to express his creativity. While his Atlantic City High School art teachers encouraged his ability to paint and draw, he never imagined he would one day become a career artist.
When he wasn’t skipping class to make art, he would escape to the world of New York City, where his older cousin introduced him to street art and culture. It was this street art that inspired him to pursue creative expression in its various forms over the years.
Moving back to Atlantic City in 2016, Miko was encouraged by the growing buzz of the local arts and the community being formed. He had spent years working in the fashion industry as a photographer and brand consultant for various companies, including High Times Magazine and Adidas.
Through his artistic exploration, Miko turned the camera onto himself and began taking creative selfies that caught the eyes of his friends, who encouraged him to continue to push the artistic boundaries.
Inspired by the incredible artists that Miko was surrounded by, he began painting again during this same time. Though he picked up the paintbrush in 2018, it wasn’t until after the loss of his father in 2020 that the fire was relit, and Miko began to trust himself to create freely.
“I painted a jacket inspired by my dad that changed everything for me,” explains Miko. “This was the first piece that I really wowed myself and showed myself what I was capable of.”
After his brand work with a friend and mentor who landed a deal on Shark Tank for his company, Stealth Bros and Co, Miko was inspired to start something of his own. Love Beach Boulevard, a collaborative brand and studio was opened in February 2022 at the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City. After his partner left to pursue a musical career in New York, Miko rebranded to become Heart & Bone Studio.
In addition to the art that Miko creates and sells out of his studio, he is dedicated to curating a creative hub for other artists to gather, specifically those of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
The new brand, Heart & Bone Studio, maintains the same theme as the former Love Beach Boulevard. It represents the black-and-white duality of life and everything in between, including flowers, birds, and plenty of colors. This is reflective of Miko’s view on life and happiness.
“We aren’t all dark or all light,” explains Miko. “I was once chasing this idea of permanent happiness. Once I accepted that was unrealistic, I began to experience true happiness. Whether I am experiencing ups or downs, I recognize that it’s temporary.”
Follow Miko at MikoBeach on Facebook and Instagram.
