MEET OUR ARTISTS
Mikayla Rae
Mikayla Rae
Mikayla is a Firefighter/Paramedic in Washington State where she was born and raised. Being in the Pacific Northwest she often finds herself adventuring with hiking, running or biking trails. Mikayla is an avid soccer fan and player, and would rather be playing soccer than almost anything else. Mikayla is working to spread the concept of self-care and advocating for mental health wellness in emergency service workers.
How did you start making art that empowers people?
I started designing after a second knee surgery that required at least a year long recovery, and started with 2 months unable to bend or put weight on my right leg. I was looking for an outlet for some of my energy as I’m typically a very active person, so being laid up for that long was not an easy prospect for me. My husband and I discussed options and landed on purchasing an iPad for me to tinker and be creative with. It started with simple designs and quickly became cathartic and a way for me to express things I was passionate about & felt would be small reminders to enjoy every day as it comes. I’m a Firefighter/Paramedic and I have really liked anatomically-based art with mental health reminders incorporated.
What do you do to self-care?
Typically, I exercise by playing soccer, lifting weights or running while listening to music. Through my injury I had to find other ways to work through the stress of recovery and being unable to do so by my normal means and have started to find new coping strategies such as laying still taking deep breaths and following guided meditations that walk you through relaxing each muscle group in your body. I also watch favorite tv shows and movies, read, and relax with my husband, or going on adventures to see and do new things.
SHOP DESIGNS BY MIKAYLA RAE