Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Mickael. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Megan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

I find myself constantly being asked to define my art or reign it in for someone else to be able to define it.

For me art and its creation does not have a definition. There is no agenda or crusade other than the discharge of creativity in a moment as well as over time.

Underlying themes may present themselves through the creative process but are not premeditated. For example, organized religion, objectification of others, mental health may have visual reference in my works. But only by way of personal reflection.

The creative journey for me is never outlined or formulaic. Nor is how I live my life. I didn’t plan to have kids, get married, be a stay-at-home mom or God forbid join the PTA. On paper for me all these things sounded awful and not in my lane. I saw myself living my life unbridled.

When I unexpectedly got pregnant, married, and then had a second child, the evolution of being a part of a community was fulfilling and rewarding. I let life happen. I let creating happen. I embrace there is no lane I live in. I change lanes and so does my art.

I ask, please don’t put my art in a box, but rather appreciate and experience the vast diversity and inclusion it represents.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We pull from our personal history as artists. I was raised Mormon. There was no choice and no discussion. I rebelled and raged from a young age because of the conformity. On top of that, we moved constantly. The only space that never changed was my mother’s art studio. It became my safe space. My refuge.

My professional photography career began around 2000 just after I graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Painting and Photography.

I started shooting a wide range of commercial content, behind the scenes, lifestyle shoots, fashion shoots, portraiture, product and more.

I was drawn away from Dallas by the draw of the Pacific Ocean off California. The push and pull of water resonate with me. The sounds, smells, vibration, clarity, murkiness, and the power struggle of the tide as it rolls to shore then is quickly pulled away. Water unconsciously has become a theme in my pieces.

Much of my art was sidelined for 15 years. One husband, two sons, one dog, and one cat later, I have re-centered my photographic focus back to fine art. I recognize creating isn’t an option it is a lifeline.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I lost my father too early. That loss has left me with resolved and unresolved feelings. Another balancing of push and pull. The takeaway resilience is I fight for what I love. And I fight hard.

-Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

How impactful the mind is to the body. Living in consciousness not emotional turmoil.
Using art as my meditation. Creation is a grounding device for me, and I can only assume most artists. We are soul searchers.

-Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My artistic process is my passion for life and living.

My art helps me view the world in a way that makes sense to me. I soften what others see as harsh or ugly through presentation and POV. My lens and I see beauty much deeper than the top layer. Life and art fuse together in a way that make life and all its beautiful mess make sense.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

My self-worth.

We let other people’s opinions and words affect our ability for self-worth and self-love. I recognize I am the overseer of my happiness and of the validating of myself to myself. It’s empowering to let the white noise and mental chatter fall by the wayside. I’m not 100% there, but I am a million miles closer to where I want to be.

-For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative?

Living transparently. Creating honestly. No agenda, being authentic.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meganmickaelimages.com
• Instagram: @meganmickaelimages
• Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/meganmickaelimages https://www.artsy.net/artist/megan-mickael