Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Mikaela.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m an artist, a maker, and a mother. I’m also a licensed spiritual practitioner or, as I think of it, a spiritual ‘midwife’ who loves to assist others in imagining and birthing their best lives. And, I’m a dedicated seeker of beauty and an enthusiastic cheerleader for women. I grew up surrounded by artists and creative thinkers who believed that we can make, do, or be anything if we believe we can. This is how I live my life!
My deepest joy flows from the act of co-creating with Spirit. Creating with my hands is like prayer or meditation; when I get out of the way, out of my head and just allow creativity to flow through me is when I have the most fun.
This is when I’m the most creative!
I truly believe we are all innately creative and that we’re here to share our unique gifts with the world. And, I know that community is essential to thriving! My current project is a journey in the form of a book guiding women everywhere to come together, to shine brightly and to live fully and out loud. It’s called “The Circle – a Woman’s Guide to Joy, Passion, and Authenticity.” It unites and fully embraces all that I’m about – creativity, spirituality, juicy and dynamic women and living life to the fullest!
Also, I have to say that I’ve created a lot of things in my life – designed homes and jewelry and lots of art. But, hands-down, I’m most proud of having raised two young women who came through me light up my life and keep things real. To have brought two women into this world who are confident, fun, funny, creative, wise, soulful and dynamic….well, that makes me smile the biggest!!
Life is good and getting better every day!
Please tell us about your art.
My art is a reflection of my spiritual journey. My favorite form of creation is collage. I mostly create figurative images which all emerge through the layering of bits of torn, reclaimed paper.
I’m a paper scavenger, and my art supplies are old magazines, dilapidated books and music scores, used gift wrap, chocolate foil wrappers and discarded scraps …all chosen for color, pattern and texture. Yes, working this way takes time (the eternal question!!), but in truth, my process is very organic, raw and thoroughly freeing!
I love to work on different things at once because moving from one medium to another keeps me in the flow of inspiration. I also have a line of healing pendants and wands called “Talisman” and “Wisdom Wands” which incorporate crystals, driftwood, mixed media elements and lots of hand-sculpting to create sacred, uplifting pieces for both adornment and ritual.
I feel things deeply. I make art that stirs my soul and makes my heart happy. And, it’s my desire to spread beauty and joy in the world around me – to leave this world a more beautiful place because I was here!
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I believe that everything in our world is interconnected. Although I’ve always created art that is primarily female-centered, this is undoubtably a time when women are coming out of the shadows and rising up – allowing our voices to be heard. I consider myself an integral part of the rise of the Divine Feminine in all corners of our world.
The role of an artist has always been to expand vision, to dissolve boundaries, to pique curiosity, to move beyond the status quo, to courageously expose hearts and souls and share our unique perspective with the world.
Art is a powerful healer and I feel called, even more now, to send beauty and joy rippling out into our world. This is a gift that we, as artists, can offer as a reminder of the Truth of our being and an antidote to the ugliness and the hate.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am an artist in residence at both Ten Women on Montana and Ten Women on Main Galleries in Santa Monica.
I have an upcoming show at Mainstay Gallery in Santa Monica in October featuring my new Divine Feminine collage series called “Birthing,” as well as a collection of my Brown-Bag Buddha’s. It’s at 2443 Main St Santa Monica, CA.
Keep an eye out for the release of my book “The Circle – A Woman’s Guide to Joy Passion and Authenticity” – buy one and start your own Circle!! (and there’s quite a bit of art within the pages of this book!)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tanyamikaela.com
- Phone: 18184003959
- Email: tanyamikaelaart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tanyamikaelaart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanyamikaelacollageart
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/tanyamikaelaart
Image Credit:
Becoming, Brown Bag Buddha #14, Brown Bag Buddha #20, Brown Bag Buddha #25, Freed Spirit, Letting Go, The Circle, Welcoming.
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