We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Keagan Vaughan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Keagan below.
Keagan , we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I would definitely say through my art. Being a poor queer kid from conservative Louisiana, the system around here is kid of designed for me to fail. I’ve gone through a lot of trauma that often has left me feeling like I’m screaming through a mouth that’s sew shut. When words have failed, I’ve been able to draw. When support systems have failed, I’ve been able to draw. When I’ve been homeless, neglected, targeted, tormented- all that awful stuff- a white piece of paper, old napkins, discarded receipts- those things have always been there from me. My creativity, my passion, love for art, desire to communicate through it all – none of that can be taken away, and it’s so empowering. Art has also given me a found family that supports and loves me. Working with my community and projects, I have cultivated super linked bonds like a chain that can never rust. The more I put into my practice the more I feel rewarded with amazing and supportive people that cheer me on every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My art is the pure chaos of my brain slapped down on a canvas or paper. No grandiose ideas of fame or fortune- I just make art to make art. The most beautiful thing that comes from it for me is communication and community. I can have wordless conversations with thousands of people I might never even meet. As an art teacher, one of the biggest things I try to drive home to my students is that everyone is an artist. So many people focus on being good or amazing artist and just give up, not realizing that creating, making, designing- its a part of life. Humans naturally create and not allowing ourselves to do that is like cutting off a limb and hindering our ability to enjoy life. Art isn’t just pretty pictures and drawings. It’s a winning touchdown, a beautiful sound, a delicious meal, smelling a flower, or even a carefully hidden smile. My art is how I communicate and connect to others and by doing that i get to explore how they communicate and connect with me. You can always find what I’m doing on my instagram or website. I’m like an electrified mouse- always zipping around to the next project. Sometimes I’m painting windows and other times I’m doing murals. I try to keep things fun and exciting.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I don’t really know what word I’d use to describe it. There’s one that came up a few years “sonder”- where you realize that everyone around you lives lives as complex as your own. Maybe a mix of humility. But there was a point in my life probably looking up at stars or something else melodramatic where I thought about how small and insignificant to the universe I was. Like there are billions of people in the world and here I am in this moment that means nothing to anyone but me. And that makes it special. I’m in this moment, this section of time with these people and all the billions of others aren’t experiencing this. I’m the one who gets to decide what is important and significant to my life and that’s been so incredible empowering and makes every moment i do have with people extra special. Just letting yourself be in the moment and reminding yourself that hey, here I am right now.
Empathy plays a really big part in my journey. I have an intense desire to just learn about other people and their lives no matter how small the detail may seem to them. Your experiences, even bad, are your super power because you can use them to connect and grow and maybe even help others.
This one may seem silly, but learning to read. I’m dyslexic, but it’s pretty mild. I struggled some but I’m so grateful I was able to keep at it. When you are able to read that opens up millions of worlds and life’s to explore. Getting lost in your own creativity and stuff can be really inspiring art wise.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I feel like I really only started being a person like….. three years ago? Before then I was trying so hard to be the perfect and sweet little Religious girl, you know? I finally got myself to a point where I could become my own person and kind of leave a lot of my past traumas behind. Because of all this I struggle a lot of times with my own self confidence. I got told for years I wasn’t capable of success or living on my own. Told I was failing my religion, family, and life by just trying to be the person I found inside. I’ve had to learn to be my own encouragement and find pride in myself. I try to encourage myself and point out where I am doing good things in my life and remind myself success is different for everyone. For some of us, just learning to love ourselves and finding joy in our own success is everything.
One thing I try to do is always smile at myself when I pass a mirror. That way, if everyone is mad at me and nothing goes right that day, I at least know I got my own back.
Contact Info:
- Website: kmvaughanart.com
- Instagram: k.m.vaughan.art
