We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarena Danou. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarena below.

Sarena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To be successful, one must fail. This applies to all of life’s experiences. In order to be successful, one must become comfortable with learning the value and education of our failures.

The best story I have to display is one that requires the passage of time. Almost all creatives will look back on past work, and believe that past work is failure. Many writers will tell you that their early works are some of their worst. Many writers will tell you that this book, story, or poem is their worst work. The takeaway from these statements is the passage of time allows our vision to see the growth that has undoubtedly occurred. On the opposite side of this, sometimes an artist’s most hated piece is the general audience’s favorite. The creator can see their immense growth, but the piece immortalized that work in its’ time.

I have looked at books that I have never finished and realized the quality of my writing would not be one that I could release with confidence. The idea remains untarnished. I can always go back to writing that I may have considered a failure, and rework it with new skills.

The passage of time for a creative is the illustration of growth most literally.

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 been told, and remember, always being inclined to creativity. It has been a lifeline for me throughout my entire life.

As young as ten, I began writing songs. Throughout middle and high school, I kept notebooks for writing, pitching ideas for all manners of creative pursuits, documenting goals, and doodling. Photography has been a deep part of my life since a very young age. My dad’s camera and documentation of our fondest and most embarrassing outbursts always fascinated me. I was gifted a camera that I still use to this day, and have been smitten with photography since diving into it. I deeply require the usage of my creative inclinations.

I have had a list of my skills since I was a freshman in high school, simply to keep track of everything I have dabbled in and intend to refine. I specialize in abstract paintings, multimedia artwork, photography of all types, SFX makeup, creative and formal makeup, amateur candlemaking, small sewing fixes/repairs, many kinds of writing, and most recently I have begun tattooing on fake skin prior to committing to an apprenticeship. I am most proud of my most recent works in photography which entail shooting live performances for local Michigan musical artists. Also, my ability to repurpose ordinary objects, repurpose fresh flowers, and use them in my artistic projects.

The aspect of my work that sets me apart from others is that every piece that I create is completely unique. None of these pieces, or photos can be replicated exactly unless it is a print with multiple copies. In addition, I set myself apart from others due to my ability to cater to the unique needs and requirements of my clientele.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the exposure of one’s soul through pure expression. Creatives are quite a unique type of person due to the need to create, feeling whole through creation, and also feeling alone through creation. Art and expression allow an individual to express, even though that expression may not be understood in the creation or even verbally. When conversation fails, art speaks. When verbal explanation fails, art can bridge the gap. When discussion of trauma may fail, an allegory through a story may succeed in garnering understanding from one’s peers. Art therapy does not simply exist to be “fun,” sometimes our ability to communicate the effect of a particular event is fully exposed through dragging fingers across a canvas, brush strokes, typing, or writing with your favorite pen.

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.

My journey as a creative is evergrowing. The best way to set this question up is through a brief review of things I have been told by non-artist or non-multifaceted creatives: “You can’t do everything,” “You can’t be good at everything,” “What does this mean?” “There is a flaw here, and here, and here,” “Which type of art is your favorite?” “Will you settle on one thing?” This list of quotes is not all-inclusive, and most of these comments were not made or responded to with negativity.

I am a creator, an artist, and a creative by nature. I have been engaging in activities to flex my creative urges throughout the duration of my life. It is something that I cannot get enough of. I continue to spread my roots across more disciplines to be creative. It may seem to an outside eye that I cannot decide what “hobby” I would like to engage in consistently. In actuality, I am a knowledge collector by nature as well. So, while it seems that I have too many activities I engage in to have a moment of rest… The reality is creativity is best expressed through multiple avenues for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarenas.art
• Instagram: wobblyearth
• Other: Email for Inquiries: [email protected] & [email protected]