Check Out Michaela Arnold’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Arnold.

Hi Michaela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Michaela Ive lived in LA my whole 32 years of life and I have been a Woodburn Artist for 5 years, but have been practicing other mediums of Art for about 15 years total . My story began in 2011 with Acrylics then Penwork , Watercolors and back to Acrylics again, but I never gave it my all.
Until 2021 when I came across a ad for Woodburning Kit online, I thought it looked so fun and mesmerizing -as I’ve always loved being the fire keeper in campfire settings- so I ended up trying it out and immediately fell in love with it . Within 3 months of purchasing I was getting custom commissions orders and people wanting to purchase my creations. It’s been a dream my whole life to be a Full time Artist so I decided this was the time to invest in a full Market set up , create my business and planned my first event . I have done events all over the last 5 years , San Pedro , Long Beach , Wilmington, Torrance , Culver City , Ventura, even Simi Valley , and I’ve learned something from each experience.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I did events for a few years and it was going well , then in November 2024 my shoulder got a labrum tear , and during the discovery of that the doctors found the discs in my neck and lower back were extruded. I got a little depressed during this time not being able to create Art, roller-skate or do anything physically really.
Having to go to so many Doctors appointments and fill out paperwork ,I started writing with my left hand and figured maybe I could teach myself how to draw with this hand. It took me 8 months for my left hand’s Art quality to look as good as my dominant right hand, but I did it, and I’m really proud of myself for the adaptation and persistence it took to get here. Also I will say I’m very thankful for my friends who helped me through that hard time , as well as my Dad being my #1 fan and support system. Actually still to this day, I’m a Left hand dominant but technically I am a Ambidextrous Artist with my right shoulder getting a little stronger and better everyday now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Woodburning is a electrically heated tip
, similar to a soldering tool , you have different temperatures you can set it at and even different tips you can switch out for different burn lines. Personally I like to use the same tip for everything , linework, shading or texture, then using colored pencil for a little color contrast but everyone has their own styles. I think that is what is most beautiful things about Art , everyone has such different capabilities and imaginations.
I am most proud of two different pieces one is my “Fairy Wonderland” piece that’s about 2 feet wide and 10” tall , it is my largest and most detailed creation. The other piece I’m proud of and is my “Family Hearts Broken” Woodburn that has a family being torn apart by ICE and a child crying behind masked men ;half proceeds of this piece will be donated to Immigration non profit organizations .
I think I set myself apart from others I like to use the Woodgrain as inspiration for some pieces and work with the Woodgrain , instead of against it. I also have many different styles of Art , usually I do Whimsical Nature pieces which I love but switching it up and Woodburning a fish or two ,or maybe a hawk brings more interest in from different target audiences.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Easiest way to get in contact with me is my email at smilesbymichaelainc@yahoo.com or through my Instagram @smilesbymichaela . My website is currently under construction but I do have a event August 2nd in San Pedro at the Music by the Sea from 11-30 am – 5pm. I have more events in the works still for the next few months so follow me on Instagram to keep updated !

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilesbymichaela