Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Mia Sole is the girl part of the Play-Ground Theater Company, which consists of herself and her partner Jeff Haycock, the guy part. But both of them play all parts in their local and statewide popular interactive, spontaneous, hilarious, educational and life-affirming shows.

Mia can be a witch, a ghostbuster, a little whining kid, a magician, a story teller, a dancer and most of a hugger and a love spreader. She wears many hats in her performances.

Recently, Mia has found a quieter adult self, one that looks at the world through the lens of a camera and in doing so, has discovered more reasons to revel in the beauty of the world. She captured what she saw and felt and what called her out to her and last Friday, she opened her first show at the Nederland Community Library with a reception. Her photographs will be on display for three months.

A little more than a year ago, Mia invested in a Canon camera and with the help of a friend who knows a thing or two about photography equipment, she jumped right in. “In no time flat I was struck with the first of many beautiful creatures to cross my field of vision. A young, handsome yearling moose blessed my yard, and I experienced what it must feel like to work for National Geographic or one of those nature outfits as I manipulated the new zoom lens, feeling the weight of the camera, clicking over 500 pictures on my first day. I am now know to take more than 1,200 a day, but it’s murder on the wrists.”

Mia decided to use the name “MiANGELO” for her photography moniker: the fusion of Mia, the Angel or Spirit, and the subject matter creating a trinity of goodness. Since then the weeks were packed to the gills with the most spectacular photo opportunities - soaring eagles and ospreys battling over real estate, goshawks trolling her yard hunting squirrels, stumbling onto a den of baby foxes during playtime, and afternoon jaunts to quiet places like the Georgetown cemetery where she spied and captured her very first Western Tanager; a photograph that now hangs in the community room of the Ned library.

Mia says her cherished photographs are usually taken after a day of Play-Ground Theatre work, a day of performing for children. The White Balloon, which hangs in the main section of the library, was taken from a field out in Longmont after a gig.  Jeff’s birthday was around the corner.

“With an idea in my head and twinkle in my eye I gathered my magic and conjured a white balloon in the center of the field. It felt like an old album cover and, as Jeff is a musician, I was very pleased knowing it would strike a responsive chord.”

In addition to photography that is untouched Mia has a flip side that thoroughly enjoys working her skills in design to entice the eye, creating a menagerie of cards that adorn my furry friends in all sorts of fun environments. They live on her website at www.miangelo.org

When one walks into the library entrance, the first photograph they see is oversized dreamy landscape called Blue Mountain Heaven. It is the view from the bottom of Coal Creek Canyon and shows off bright Colorado clouds contrasting the dark mountainscape. It commands your attention and once it has you in it’s spell the piece sets you free like launching a hang glider off a cliff.

The landscapes hanging at the library convey majesty, tranquility and the rich colors are truly eye candy. “Each and every piece is an extension of my heart and the connection I feel with the love that is all around me. I offer that same experience to the folks in our mountain community. The library is a perfect venue for the show and the staff has been exceptional to work with. My hats off to Jay, Bert & Celine for all their kindness and help making such a bright and positive reception for Miangelo Photography.”

Mia is donating 10% of sales from the show to the Nederland Community Library’s Youth Services. Twenty of photographs on canvas will be on display until the  end of July. She has been working with many clients to create canvas art that is original and specific to their needs and heart songs.

To see more of Mia’s work, go to: Miangelo.org or email Miangelophotography@gmail.com