My name is Mikaela Darnell and I am a painter from Western North Carolina who works primarily in acrylic paint. In my paintings, I am exploring concepts that I deal with on a day to day basis - issues with my body image, self esteem, and identity. The various forms of media that we are all constantly consuming perpetuate ideas about who we should aspire to be - even if none of it truly represents who we are. Advertising, film, music, and social media all preserve ideas about what is and is not to be valued - influencing how we see the world and ourselves within it. I am always looking inward and grappling with how these aspects of my society have shaped my own thinking. These paintings are an expression of that inner work and the experiences that have led me there. I hope my work connects with those who have gone through life obsessing about their outward appearance, never feeling like they’re good enough, always questioning if they are making the right choices in life, or feel like they are still trying to understand who they truly are.
