We had the good fortune of connecting with Britt Michaelian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Britt, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking has been interwoven throughout my life as a way of being. Not that I’m a crazy adventurous type, but my parents both worked in demanding careers when I was a child, so I kind of grew up having to figure things out on my own, which obviously meant taking risks.

I think you’re taking a risk when you go outside the norm and while I may look the part of someone who can be put into a box, when you look at how I’ve lived my life, risk taking is a common theme. For instance, I graduated from high school and went to University of Southern California and did the sorority thing for a minute and after a few semesters, I realized I was not the person I wanted to be. So, I took some time off of college and worked in retail. That was a bit of a risk because aside from my parents wondering what the heck I was doing with my life, I didn’t know what my next steps were going to be. I just knew I needed some time to figure things out. Then all of a sudden, I was in Chicago for a wedding, brought my portfolio into the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and three weeks later, I was a student there. Going to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago was one of the best decisions of my life. It was pivotal for so many reasons and if I wouldn’t have take the risk of leaving USC, I’d never have become the person I am today.

I’ve never been afraid to put myself out on a limb if I knew there was a chance for growth. I believe you have to take risks to learn more about yourself and life in general.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Sure. Thank you so much. I don’t consider myself to be a religious person, but I’ve always been very spiritual. And I’ve always made art. On top of that, I trust that God, the Universe, Source… whatever name you want to call the Creator, has a plan for me (for all of us). And as such, I’ve always been willing to try new things in honor of this plan, knowing full well some things I try might not be aligned with my ultimate goals and some things will. And in the end it will all form the bigger picture of my life and every piece will matter to the whole. So, when I developed my process of creating paintings that radiate healing frequencies, many of my life experiences, interests, and natural skills seemed to make sense in a way they never had before that point.

Before I became a reiki master and energy healer, my art was exhibited in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and beyond. I was known as a color expressionist and my work was often compared to Mark Rothko’s. Then, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and we moved to Southern California, I took a break from exhibiting my work. When I came back to painting, it was important to me that my work was less about me as an artist and more about helping others heal.

When we heal ourselves, we heal the world.

Collectors of my work range from hardcore art collectors who have some of the masters in their collection, to energy healers who feel the healing from the work and want their clients to experience it as well, to people who simply love the visuals and intentions of the work — but even they are typically wellness focused individuals or families. I love being a part of this aspect of people’s lives!

One of the biggest lessons in my experience as an artist has been to trust my instincts not because of what it can do for me, but because of how much it can help others. I believe we each have a responsibility for our own healing work and my art is just one tool to support this process. I do include a healing session with the purchase of each painting, but I find that collectors often have on-going questions about healing and wellness, so that one healing session really turns into a relationship where we explore healing together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My idea of the perfect day in LA would start first thing in the morning with a hike through Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean from atop the mountains above PCH.

After a good hike, nourishment is in order, so head to SunLife Organics at Malibu Country Mart for a beautiful fruit bowl while being surrounded by giant healing crystals and good vibes. If the weather is nice, the ocean is nearby and the shore is always the perfect place to soak up the sun and appreciate the energetic healing of the waves.

The afternoon is the perfect time for a holistic spa treatment. Tikkun Spa in Santa Monica has a treatment called the divine alignment that includes reiki, sound healing, and massage. How amazing does that sound?! When you feel completely refreshed, it’s time for some inspiration.

Next, head to mid-city to the LA County Museum of Art. I love the outdoor sculptures and installations around the museum and if you are visiting on a Friday evening any time between May and October, grab a picnic dinner at the Farmers Market (3rd and Fairfax) and stay for the jazz at LACMA!

For anyone coming in town who loves music, it doesn’t matter who is playing, you have to see a show at the Hollywood Bowl. To listen to music under the stars in the middle of LA is an iconic experience you will never forget.

There are so many fun things to do, places to go, and things to see in LA, but for me, its all about anything that lifts the soul to a higher vibe. The places I’ve listed are my tops so far, but I’m always discovering new amazing places and that’s the beauty of LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

One person who has changed my life and the lives of many others is my insanely talented and incredibly inspiring reiki master teacher, yoga instructor, and friend, Shannon Kassoff. For many years, our family has belonged to Ekam Yoga in Newport Beach. Shannon teaches there. All I have to say is if you like yoga, you will LOVE her class. Every time I take her class, I feel like my body, mind, and soul are elevated to higher realms and this stays with me throughout the day and benefits everyone I connect with. I am so grateful to be able to have this experience on a regular basis, but there’s so much more to it than just taking a yoga class.

One day a few years ago, my husband signed me up to take reiki training with Shannon. I had taken Usui reiki levels one and two previously, but for some reason I felt like I needed to retake them and so I did. This time, with Shannon. During the first reiki attunement with Shannon, as birds sang and a gentle breeze blew through the trees around us, I felt like I was finally myself. I was home. It was magical and profound and a moment I will never forget. And the reason I experienced it the way I did was because of how Shannon showed up and held space for all of us and she does this whether she’s teaching a class or providing a healing.

I could go on and on about how grateful I am and why Shannon Kassoff is a gift to this world, but the bottom line is that Shannon has walked through the densest of dense energy in this life and she has come through the other side bearing energetic treasures of the highest vibration for everyone in her presence. I dedicate this story to Shannon and all beings like her who consistently lift the frequency of those in their presence by living a life of discipline, creativity, and love.

Website: Http://brittmichaelian.art

Instagram: Http://instagram.com/brittmichaelian

Twitter: Http://twitter.com/brittmichaelian

Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-healing/id1697967065 https://open.spotify.com/show/6fxZbufk6NsSt98e9WYD6j

Image Credits
Jason Mintzer Photography

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