About The Photographer
Mikaela Conley, who goes by the artist name “mik.” is a double exposure photographer based in Omaha, Nebraska. Her ever-growing portfolio “A Place I’ve Been Before” melds imagery in a surrealist style to honor the subtle curiosities that she has witnessed and to encourage the viewer to see their own world differently. Highlighting themes of nature while using color and composition to her advantage, her work brings out emotions of sadness, longing, freedom, and expression. With their often tender and heartfelt titles, she invites the viewer to recognize and reflect on their own experiences, lived or longed for. Her work embodies the fleeting nature of the world around us, allowing these untouchable moments, memories, and feelings to be captured and perceived. Conley earned her Associate’s degree in Art at the Metropolitan Community College of Omaha in 2023. Her work has since been featured in the international juried open call, “Birds – Virtual Exhibition and Artist Interview” through the Women In Arts Network and in the international juried open call, "101 Art Book: Photography Edition" through the Arts To Hearts Project.
Artist Statement
At its core, my photography is about the human experience. I want my work to emit emotion, and I want the viewer to feel it. I use double exposure in my practice which allows me to honor the surrealist movement. There is something so incredibly freeing about having the ability to portray life in such an infinite and unexpected light. I try to pull imagery from my everyday experiences like places I’ve been to and things I’ve witnessed, especially in relation to nature. I want the viewer to see a world that is reflective of their own, yet to understand that everything is new and there is curiosity to be had. If they look long enough, may they feel the mood and personality of the piece. I always hope to encourage relatability and self-contemplation within the viewer, as if they have been to these places and have met these feelings before.