Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawny Rachelle.
Hi Tawny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was 39, at the height of my career as a hairdresser, and had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was scared and had no words to express myself. For the first time in my career, I had to ask myself a tough question – what would I do if I could no longer do hair? I had never thought about what to do because I thought I would be the little old lady doing hair forever. So when I decided to put my shears down after almost two decades, I dove headfirst into art, yoga, self-expression, and anything I could do creatively. I reached into the deepest parts of myself because I had moments where no words could explain what I was going through. I allowed the paintbrush to paint me in vivid colors. Needles to stitch the badges from the battles I have won. A pen to let out my rambling thoughts. And glue to turn a frown upside down. When I needed stillness, yoga became my source for moments of silence in a loud journey. With all the confusion, I needed a way to quiet my mind, and art was my therapy. Soon, I started sharing my art, writings, and, over time, myself. Eventually, I had a moment of clarity. I realized that by addressing my mortality, I discovered my desire to share as much as possible because I hadn’t for so many years. Hadn’t it been my first solo art show or one of the times my writing was published in a breast cancer-focused magazine, my decision to share has pushed me outside my comfort zone and given me the nudge I always needed to step out creatively. With these experiences, my confidence has grown and given me a drive and curiosity to try new forms of art and expression. While my personal growth has been exponential, the opportunity to give back to the Austin breast cancer community has shown me my full potential as a person and artist. Through all of this, I’ve learned that whenever I was creating – healing happened. Over the last few years, I have received multiple Yoga and Reiki certifications, allowing me to help others physically and spiritually while helping me in my healing journey. I am finally back behind the chair, with shears in my hands and a big smile – blessed and thankful. While I am in a different place along my breast cancer journey, I am grateful that I still get to do what I love. I still get to share my creativity, and I still get to share a little of myself.
Our hands are more than just hands. They are our tools. -TawnyRachelle
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been smooth in retrospect?
The road wasn’t easy at all. The many bumps, roundabouts, and potholes seemed endless. I’d go ahead and say that some roads were eventually paved over and some re-opened because I didn’t understand the intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual journey a breast cancer diagnosis and open heart surgery would take me on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist in many ways, known for putting myself out there. I have been expressing myself as a hairdresser, special effects makeup artist, painter, writer, and creative for decades. It wasn’t until my cancer diagnosis that I began sharing my creative side. I work with mixed media, primarily on wood, but I’ll paint on anything that speaks to me. In the beauty industry, I am known for my eye for detail. I love short and long hair and have never met a mullet. I didn’t do Halloween makeup. I don’t resonate with a good time. I am proud that I didn’t want life’s life to harden me. It has done quite the opposite. I don’t have certain things that set me apart from other people. We are all unique in our way. I am a 45-year-old open-heart, breast cancer baddie, hairdresser at the moment who loves life. I have lived and died a thousand lifetimes and have had every reason to give up, but I have found so many reasons to keep going.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in good luck. Karma? Most definitely. The universe has a knowing. Good or bad luck is about conquering a fear to achieve, to find things that fill us and how authentic we are in doing so. When it comes to life, it will play out as it will – good, bad, or Indifferent. When it comes to business, it’s having a good work ethic and being consistent. It’s about saving, drive, and passion for doing what you love. I believe that nothing good in life comes easily. When it comes to luck, I make my own and ask this beautiful universe for the best blessings, even on the days I may not feel so “lucky.”
“Life is” crazy beautiful, with many bumpy roads – when they get a little bumpy, always remember – it’s just a hiccup. -TawnyRachelle
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @itsjustahiccup and @bytawnyrachelle
