Mikelle started making bracelets after graduating from high school because she fell in love with fashion and wanted to create designs that reflected her unique sense of style. Bracelets gave her the freedom to choose colors and arrange them in whatever order felt right to her. If you've crossed paths with Mikelle over the years, chances are she's either given you a bracelet or invited you to buy one. She loves sharing them with people who shine brightly.

Her bracelets represent so much more than colorful accessories. They symbolize her creativity, kindness, talent and remarkable eye for color. We often call them her bridge to connection because they have helped her build community and show people who she is and what she is capable of. Mikelle is nonverbal, and while some people may initially feel unsure about interacting with someone who has a limited vocabulary, she quickly puts them at ease. A bracelet, a smile and her unmistakable joy for life become the beginning of a conversation.

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I introduced Mikelle to painting, since I’m a painter, as a way to stay creative and keep our minds engaged. She began by painting small hearts that we attached to strings on her fanny packs. That simple project sparked something much bigger. Suddenly, the world felt full of endless creative possibilities.

Since then, Mikelle has created nonstop, designing and embellishing well over 100 custom fanny packs and phone cases. The strings she adds to her fanny packs aren't just decorative. They serve an important purpose by making the zippers easier for her to open and close. As someone with limited mobility, Mikelle understands that many everyday products aren't designed with accessibility in mind. Her work reflects the way she sees the world: “How can I make the things I love not only cuter, but easier to use?”

Around this same time, Mikelle rediscovered her love for Minnie Mouse, who now appears in many of her creations. Minnie embodies the kindness, happiness and sweetness that Mikelle naturally identifies with and aspires to share. Mickey often appears alongside Minnie, representing a love that is loyal and joyful, the same kind of love Mikelle gives so freely to the people around her.

In 2024, Mikelle returned to painting with renewed curiosity. She naturally gravitated toward abstract art, using color, texture and movement to express herself. We experimented together by choosing color palettes and exploring different tools to move paint across the canvas. Although she loved the process, she sometimes questioned her work after seeing others paint more realistic subjects, something her limited mobility makes difficult.

Everything changed when I took her to the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver. Seeing Still's paintings gave Mikelle permission to trust her own artistic voice. His work isn't about fine details. It's about movement and the power of color. She recognized herself in that approach. She realized that she also speaks through color.

Today, Mikelle works in the studio with Ron, an art assistant who has encouraged her to experiment with new materials and techniques. Together they've explored collage, expanded her painting practice and discovered countless new ways to layer colors and textures. The studio has become a place where Mikelle stays curious and is free to experiment. Mikelle also has a wonderfully creative team who wholeheartedly supports her art and encourages her to continue creating at home.

For Mikelle, art is not only about making beautiful things. It is her language. Whether she is stringing together bracelets, painting bold fields of color, embellishing a fanny pack or adding Minnie Mouse to a phone case, she is telling people who she is. Her work invites others into her world, a world filled with color, joy, accessibility, generosity and love. Every piece she creates is another bridge, connecting people through creativity, reminding us that communication takes many forms and that art has the power to build community.

About Maryann

Maryann met Mikelle more than five years ago, and they had an instant connection. What began as a desire to support Mikelle and her independence has grown into a close friendship. They consider each other best friends.

“I don’t know what I would do without her,” Maryann says. “Mikelle is so supportive, creative and loving, and she always adds positivity to my life. She has taught me how to find joy in just about everything. Since we started making art together, I have become her art assistant, helping her ideas come to life.”