We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Spadaro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

After my high school years, I really struggled to find myself and what I wanted to pursue out of life. The trenches of my depression was, and still is, the toughest battles I face. At the time I wasn’t content with the job I had or my life in general. I really had to dig deep and think about what I wanted to pursue and to spark my passion again as an artist. I knew something was missing, a part of me that was a major piece of who I am, and without it I truly am nothing I thought. It wasn’t easy but with hard work and determination I slowly started to grow as a person and as a artist as well.

Pushing myself on the grind and creating works of art I finally opened my Etsy shop back in 2019. Ever since then, especially in 2020, when my art started to pick up in sales and reach on social media I knew I found my place in the world. I found what I was missing; genuine happiness by creating works of art with my own two bare hands. And to pursue this passion in my life as an artist, even as a hobby, side hustle, and or or as my main job brings me so much joy. I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.

The faces I see that gaze upon my creations at art shows and the happy customers who purchase my art. Nothing can replace that. The feelings I get are like no other. I found my place in life, an artist, and now I can finally pursue my passion. And even if I have to grind even more and to find a job to pursue this great passion of mine I can finally say I found genuine happiness again. Even till to this day I’m still growing and thankful of everyone who has supported me.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

To inform you how I got where I am today lets take a step back into memory lane where it all began. Back in my middle school years I had some amazing art teachers. They all sparked a passion in me that was like no other and I took off from there. I would work long hours on my art before and after school, during my classes and even skipped my lunch to go and work. I guess you could say I was a very determined kid.

After my high school years and to now, I finally found my determination again. And due to the amazing art teachers I had in the past I can confidently say am a very roundabout artist. I truly feel my skills set me apart from other artists because I can sculpt, paint, illustrate, ink, use watercolors, create resin art, the list goes on and on. Even till to this day I’m still learning new medias and things. But what I’m best known for is, my good communication skills with my customers, my use of vibrant colors with Prismacolors and Sharpies, and finally my pop culture sparkly Pokémon keychains that is made out of resin.

The biggest success so far to draw in more customers surprisingly was my fanart and attending art shows. I also took in many commissions over the years as well which has been a learning process. Luckily I had amazing customers and if anything went wrong with something I mailed I would remake a new one out of my pocket and or or mail the missing parts of the keychains that would somehow break. This was something I took pride in; my customers being happy and content with their purchase and my services. I also feel this sets me apart from other artists as well because I don’t always see other artists going the extra miles for their customers.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I’ve always struggled as an artist with pricing my work. There has always been those constant sayings of, “That’s so expensive!” “I can’t afford that.” or “You’re prices are way too high!” When customers say that about an artists work I feel its a very narrow mindset. I can’t always fault them though because a lot of people, especially non-artists, don’t consider several things or know how it is to be an artist. The amount of time and years it took for us to get to where we are and to develop our own unique styles. The cost of our supplies, taxes, fees, the time it took to complete the piece, our profits, and other expenses that may also increase the value of an art piece. I do hope over time more people are understanding of the ins and outs of what its like to be an artist and why we set our prices.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Currently in life my major goal and mission is to make a living 100% off my art and not have to always rely on having another job to pursue my true passion as an artist. I also want to make it my mission to continuously apply myself to as many art shows as possible. They’re so exciting and I love engaging with people in those environments!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://etsy.me/2T4Nbrz
• Instagram: mysticalwonders6667
• Facebook: MysticalWonders
• Twitter: MysticalWonders
• Youtube: Mystical Wonders