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Interview with Denise Mihalik
The first time I met Denise was at the 2004 Artella retreat - to me she was the poster girl for Living Out Loud! She was an open, loud, sensual, laughing, wild, giving, loving, emotional artist.
Since then I've gotten to see that there is even more to Denise!
She has a broad knowledge and experience base. She has a brilliant mind - is able to blend logical and creative thinking seamlessly. And she's very articulate. Where I would flounder - hands waving as if attempting to pull an idea down to SHOW it to her - Denise could clearly speak her ideas, visions and plans.
So now I see Denise as the poster girl for Blooming Brilliant and Highly Articulate Living Out Loud!
Denise loves teaching. She told me:
That love of teaching - added to her love of creativity - drew Denise into being a muse. She is a certified muse group facilitator.
On her site Denise lists herself as:
a painter
a writer
a photographer
a muse
a mom
a lover
it all depends on the day
She told me that "Being a Muse is everything I love rolled up in one." If you'd like to get first hand experience being inspired by Denise - and growing in your creativity - check out her "UPCOMING MUSE JOURNEY - A 12 WEEK ON-LINE COURSE TO unleash the creative genius in YOU!"
Most people don't live like that. Most people are afraid to speak the truth. I'm not afraid to speak my mind.
I feel like I can't squash into the confines of "normal". I'm comfortable being a Square-Peg.
As an adolescent - confusing time - I didn't want to be too different, but didn't want to be too much the same.
I was judging myself ... maybe if I try to be a better _________________ (fill in the blank).
When I was in denial - I dulled myself down for awhile. My divorce was part of this. It's easy to forget who you are.
I asked Denise what brought her out of this hard part of her life -
When you remember who you really are you're not satisfying needs (in your head) that other people have. You have to remember to be present - unafraid to be outloud.
Tragedy - life changing events - divorce - and loss brought me back to myself. I had a long lull, which was a catalyst for the prolific times in life.
Denise said something that echoed what I've heard other interviewed Square-Pegs say:
As I get older - it's less and less about fitting in. I'm at a place where "fit" comes to me more - after a certain time you attract it more.
There's something there about inhabiting your own world - living fully as you are - and that kind of life seems to brings others of the same mindset/heartset your way.
Another thing - trying things - taking steps outside myself. I've photographed myself all different ways - got a good, hard look inside and out. When you don't recognize who you are you can lose yourself.
I have a grounded sense of self love.
Laughing, Denise said:
I'm a bit of a narcissist - I used to live like it was all about everybody else, but I've cycled out of that. I do focus on self. It's important to care about yourself.
nuf said ;)
Laughing again, Denise said:
Twila Tharp's book, The Creative Habit : Learn It and Use It for Life.
Jill's book, The Nine Modern Day Muses: 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence.
Denise also said that The Stranger, by Albert Camus was her favorite when she was 17.
With a big grin she added:
Living out loud - Denise is authentic - what you see is what you get. She says what she is thinking - and doesn't hold back. She IS loud - she laughs loudly, lives loudly. Denise is not a wallflower! Her spontaneous spirit and audacity are qualities that I want to grow toward.
She delights in sensuality - one of her very fitting nicknames is D'Lish. Somehow Denise gives off a "vibe" that encourages others to be comfortable experiencing the sensual. She's that kind of very unusual woman whose sensuality and sexiness does NOT feel like a threat to other women, but as an invitation to revel in one's own femininity.
Another thing Denise has taught me by example is to do what you love. Denise's zest for living seems to come from finding and pursuing what she loves.
Looking at Denise's art work gives me an immediate sense of freedom - looseness - openness. Her audacity and aliveness comes across in her art. I think who we are comes through in our art, whether we want it to or not. That applies regardless of what we create - or whether we live our art. But, I think the lesson we can learn from Denise is to take it up a notch. Move fear out of the way and allow our art to show MORE of who we are.
Here are some of Denise's favorite books:
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