We recently connected with Michaelan Mena and have shared our conversation below.

Michaelan, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I never imagined I’d become an artist. It wasn’t something I pursued or believed I had a talent for. My background is in the entertainment industry; I was an Emmy-nominated TV producer for over a decade in NYC and LA, working with major networks like MTV and Hallmark Channel.

In 2020, my husband and I moved to Nashville, seeking a slower pace of life and a better environment to raise our family. After the birth of our first son, I felt the need for a creative outlet and something I could pour my heart into that was just for me
At the time, I was searching for a large-scale textured art piece to hang above our mantle but couldn’t find anything that matched my vision. Everything was either a mass-produced print or came on a rolled canvas that required professional stretching. I wanted something original and ready to frame, but the options were scarce. So, I decided to create my own.

What started as an experiment quickly became an obsession. After putting the baby to bed each night, I would work on a canvas, experimenting and playing and learning. There was a lot of trial and error until I found a technique I loved, but once I did… the rest was history,

I don’t regret not starting sooner. I firmly believe in God’s timing and the importance of seasons in our lives and I think my art career began exactly when it was meant to.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Nashville based artist specializing in large-scale textured art with a luxury feel. I use a unique combination of building materials like concrete, sheet rock, and stucco paired with more traditional mediums like acrylic paint and oil pastels to create pieces with dramatic dimension and cinematic inspired emotion.

I offer a custom color matching service in which I can precisely replicate the colors of any inspiration picture you provide, whether it’s a photo of your bedding, rug, pillow, or simply a photo that includes the colors you want in the painting.

Each piece is 100% original and never duplicated. When you invest in my art, you’re getting a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. None of my works are turned into prints, ensuring your art remains exclusive to your home.

I work mainly on a commission basis and my commission process is fun and collaborative. We communicate through email, text, or DM to nail down the perfect colors, textures, and vibe for your piece and it brings me so much joy to help bring your vision to life!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Buy from local artisans instead of mass-produced items from big box stores. After your purchase, share it on your social media and tag the maker’s account. Leave reviews wherever possible. Referrals are incredibly valuable for small businesses and artists.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Partnering with influencers has been instrumental in growing my audience. I provide complimentary commissions to influencers in exchange for them posting my work, which has resulted in fantastic organic growth. When I was starting out, I also offered local businesses complimentary pieces to display in their stores, with my name and social handle beside the artwork. This approach effectively generated local buzz about my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbymichaelanmena.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbymichaelanmena?igsh=eW1pZjVxbjdseDly&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Bay Rooney