MICAELA DAWN
The freelance artist explains how she finds happiness in creating art
How does creating art make you happy?
As someone who struggles with mental health, happiness has been something I’ve had to work hard to define for myself; and it can change day by day. Painting feels almost like meditation, so it helps me explore emotions through art.
Are you usually happiest at the start or the end?
It’s a mixture. The start of the process gives me the excitement of something new, and I enjoy challenging myself to try new things. The end has the satisfaction of bringing something into the world that had not existed before. Even when a piece can be frustrating, this really lets me grow as a person and that makes me happy.
Is there a particular time of day when you’re happiest painting?
I used to find the most joy in painting at night, when there were fewer distractions so I could really get into the flow. But I’ve worked hard to create a space that I enjoy being in while painting. So now I’m happy to paint whenever I have some tea, nearby plants and a cat on my lap.
Can you give an example of a painting of yours that makes you happy to look at?
One example is my painting of Siegfried; the man who, upon laying eyes on the naked Brünnhilde, at long last experiences fear. This moment in Wagner’s opera The Ring always makes me happy. And being able to share that happiness with others makes my world a little brighter.
Arthurian legends or ancient myths in a new light,” she says. “It helps me feel like I’m giving a voice to something old. And if there are bad-ass ladies involved, then I’m doubly happy.”
Katelan takes strength from her own life. “When I’m feeling down, I love to draw care-free black girls,” she says. “As a care-free black girl myself, these girls represent parts of my identity and feelings I experience: people I’ve looked up to or aspired to be.”
WHEN TO START PAINTING?
Choosing the right time to paint can also make a big different to your mood, although again this varies from