Sarena Danou of Macomb County on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sarena Danou. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Sarena, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
First, let me compliment your icebreaker questions. Many of them stood out to me. For the current point of my experience and life events, this one most so.

So, as I often do, I will break the ice, or eviserate it with an answer that will not leave you wanting for depth.

Humanity as a whole struggles with death. Most fear it, many avoid it, and some offer words that downplay loss.
Most never say they struggle with the reality of death. Of course, they do.

Many who have not grieved a significant loss struggle with others’ feelings of grief. Sit in the discomfort. Sit with your discomfort. My advice for this struggle, do not allow your discomfort to sully the support you wish to give to a loved one. So, instead of saying ‘it’ll get easier, ‘you’ll get over it,’ and the like. Approach with empathy, check in, and offer assistance that you can manage.

They may not want to talk, they may not say they need help, do what you can.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Sarena. I consider myself a creator as that is the undercurrent of everything in my art. A list of the types of art I engage in: writing, painting, drawing, digital art, photography, modeling, makeup, sculpting, sewing, mixed media artwork, including dried flowers, stitching, pigments, and foils. Here are some things I am learning: tattooing, wood burning, and digital art. Every piece of art that I produce is unique, and any replications of the same style on my part will never yield the same exact results. Unless, of course, prints are offered of that piece.

The pieces I am currently working on are my Halloween costume (Gondul from God of War, 2018), a poetry collection centered on a significant loss, six tshirt designs that will be available to the public to keep my late brother’s memory alive, and three horror paintings for Halloween as well.

One of my core beliefs about art is that imperfection is a vital part of art.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
This question stood out to me because my answer is something that I often discuss with those close to me. Sometimes this comes about when they discuss why they do something a certain way or why I do something a certain way. The part of me that has served is purpose and must now be released is the perfectionist part of me. It served its purpose in my education and in my early years. This part of me encouraged a different level of standards and goals for me to achieve. It aided my younger mind to glimpse beyond potential boredom and look towards these standards and goals.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss sitting in my car after a long day. The way the settling night feels, combined with speakers that resonate. Sometimes, texts come in asking where you are, and the answer was always a variation of the same.

‘I’m outside’ ‘In the driveway’ ‘outside the house’

It felt like a different world, soft seats, and older-school lights on my dashboard. Red seatbelt light flashing.

I’d have to put a timer on myself by turning the car off and waiting for the radio to accompany it. Even then, I’d sometimes stay in the quiet of the night.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Community. There is more than just you or me. We must look out for one another. This idea may seem naive to some. I find myself having to defend this value in the individualist society of this country.

An example: A child is a bit farther away from their parent and is walking towards a hazard. Do you place yourself between them and the hazard, thereby stopping them from going to it without directly interacting with the child?

To close, the idea of community gardens often gives me hope.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I believe it is important to have more than your name, role, and possessions. There are so many things that can be gone in an instant, and knowing who you are is the only proper shield to that. It does not matter if others know who that person is. It matters that you know it, and have more than what you are known as. With that being said, my answer is…

My ability to create, write, and create a vision with nothing else.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: wobblyearth

Image Credits
Me/Sarena Danou