We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mikell Howington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mikell below.
Mikell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I definitely wish that early in life I had known that I should study both architecture and interior design. I know I have a natural ability in various creative areas. I wish I had taken a decisive direction right from the start. Unfortunately, I chose a very unlikely path in that I spent my college years studying business at the College of Charleston. This was an inappropriate choice which did not suit my personality and abilities. I was a round peg in a square hole from the start!!
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 have adapted to many requests for creativity including photos, children’s story illustrations, puppets, ceramic centerpieces, realistic wildlife paintings, and botanical arts, to interior design and costumes. Each of my creations has its own origin. The puppets began as an expression of the blending of cultures. The children’s book illustrations began as a path to a stable income. The costumes simply resulted from an interest in textiles.. The photography resulted from a challenge presented by a club that I am in.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Right now, I am working on an educational display which illustrates the problems created by the enormous and growing amount of plastics in the environment. I live near the ocean and see the plastics that wash up onto our beaches every day. I want to educate the public on the plastics which are being dumped into the ocean where it is breaking down into very small particles, being consumed by wildlife, and are eventually ending up in our bodies.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I enjoy being able to contribute my art to auctions which raise money for whatever causes I choose. I believe the pieces are interesting and unique additions to the auctions which help generate interest in the events and hopefully bring in more donations in the form of bids. I try to suit the piece to the cause or theme of the event. I feel
good letting go of my work when it is helping animals or people in some meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Mikell Middleton Howington
Image Credits
Referenced animal photographers:
Egret: Daniel Rodriguez Garriga
White pelican: Slowmotiongli
Brown pelican: DW Graves Photography
Flying Egret: Scott Ellis
Turtle: Rich Carey
All Shutterstock licensed