We had the good fortune of connecting with Misha Elle and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi misha, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I was young, I actually wanted to pursue art and go to an art school for college but growing up in an Asian immigrant household as a 1st generation Asian-American, the expectations were either doctor, engineer, or lawyer so I had to compromise and… went to school for engineering lol. The artistic and creative dreams I teased in my head pretty much came to a full stop after high school and the new path for the rest of my life was to get good grades, graduate, get a good job, climb the corporate ladder, build up my 401k, and retire happily pursuing and achieving the “American Dream”. I was steadily following that path until something I never would have thought of came along- nails. I’ve been a nail biter since birth (still am even) and I discovered the only thing that keeps me from my bad habit is having something on my nails. After wishing for cool nail art that I just wasn’t able to find at salons, I thought to myself “I used to like drawing, I think I should try doing my own nails” so I bought a DIY gel extension kit on Amazon and after 8+ hours, my first nail set on myself was done! It was messy and definitely popped off in just a few days but I loved it! I was doing my own nails and painting whatever I wanted on them. I thought it would just be another short-term hobby I’d eventually stop at some point but I found a new sense of fun and reawakening of creativity I hadn’t felt in so long. Then I found out about press on nails and started making and selling them specializing in custom designs with detailed handpainted anime and character art that I would do as a side hustle/hobby while still working my full-time corporate job. For about a year of this, I was really honing my nail art, finding, and channeling all my almost-forgotten creativity into nails. I thought it would always just be my fun side hustle until my first big opportunity came up that changed my path again. I honestly never thought I would ever diverge from working a corporate job for the rest of my life let alone working in something art related. Then the crossroad decision came to take the leap and risk it all to go full time into nails. I thought about how this seemingly little hobby of nail art had truly turned into a full on passion for me and how happy and fulfilled I felt when clients would respond so positively to my art. I felt it in my gut that while 10+ years ago, it didn’t seem like a future with art was possible but now, this is the universe screaming to me that it is and it’s meant to be. So in March 2023, I took the leap, quit my job, and now I am a full-time nail artist and I haven’t looked back! I guess I always had a spark in me for art and although at a point in my life, I didn’t think it was meant to be, art found its way back to me. I’ve never felt more myself in my life since diving fully into nails and I continue to feel more myself everyday pursuing my career in nail art.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I always have a hard time thinking about what sets me apart from others because I feel like I don’t even really have an art style. But in a roundabout way, that might also be the answer. I feel like I’m always constantly changing as a person- my interests, vibes, aesthetics, etc. which all show up in my nail art so I think my nail art is also constantly changing along with me. Going through all these phases and changes brings versatility so I think what truly sets me apart from others is that my nail art is versatile and I can kind of shift my creative process and designs to fit whatever it is I think is needed. So in terms of what I’m most proud of, I think it would be anytime I’m able to create nail art that both fits the brief/client’s vision as well as resonates and represents me as an a person and an artist. One example of that is when I get to do nails for DAWANG (@dawangnewyork) runway shows. The founder and designer Daisy Wang is amazing and gives me pretty much full trust and freedom to create the nails based on the season’s looks which I am so grateful for. We’ve done 2 shows together so far and each show I felt like I was able to really create nail designs that resonated with my aesthetic, artistry, and fun experimental sides while still matching and complimenting the looks and vibes of her collections. I’m excited for future shows together with DAWANG and other future projects like that!
I feel like I’ve gotten to where I am today professionally thanks to my super strong support system, trusting my gut with big decisions like quitting my corporate job, and really healing and finding myself as both a person and an artist. Being a creative is so different from how it felt working my past corporate jobs. I’ve realized that the work I do now as an artist has to come from within and the more authentic and “me” I am, the better my work will be. Being my true authentic self takes a lot of constant healing, transformation, soul seeking, and protection every single day which is always a challenge. I constantly find myself battling imposter syndrome, periods of depression and low self-worth, feeling undervalued, misunderstood, and like I’m not good enough. I’ve learned through my constant healing journey to surround myself with and lean on my support system and listen to what my mind and body needs during these darker periods- if your cup is empty, there won’t be anything to pour out onto your work or others. I’ve learned and I truly believe that the energy you put out into the universe will always come back to you so I’m always trying to put out good energy and be the best version of myself I can be. Through this I’ve been able to meet and work with so many incredible and beautiful creatives who many have also now become such dear friends to me. Another hard lesson I continuously learn is that because your energy is so important and directly correlates to your work, you have to really protect and discern not only when to share that energy but also who to share it with. There’s a lot of hurt that comes with constantly evolving and transforming as a person so discernment and resilience is key to continue overcoming the challenges and becoming the artist and person you are truly meant to be.
If theres something I’d want the world to know about me, my brand, and my story is that I embrace constantly changing, transforming, and evolving to become who I’m meant to be. I think self-expression and being your true authentic self is so important. Nails are a metaphor for that- 10 extra canvases on our body to express ourselves that will grow and be ready for something new every month. So through my nail art, I hope that my clients can feel understood and comfortable to express themselves and feel excited and beautiful having fun nails!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place in LA is actually the SGV (San Gabriel Valley)! The BEST boba can be found here with real authentic flavors and the most delicious and consistent drinks. Some of my favorites are Sunright, Bopomofo, 3cat, Cha Redefine, Bobapop, Chi Cha San Chen, Hoji Tea, and Formosa just to name a few haha. The SGV also has some of the best and super authentic Chinese and Asian food. Little Skewer and XINJANG BBQ are my favorite places for Chinese skewers and they’re both open late making them great late night hang out spots as well. There’s a really cool Japanese BBQ spot called Hibiki BBQ that is decorated to look like youre in Japan and the food is so good. As far as cool places to check out, my friend Teddy @teddyxtattoo recently opened the cutest and unique DIY experience studio called Fluffe Studio is Pasadena where you can decorate cute animal ear headbands, hair clips, and photo albums with soo many options of charms and toys to decorate with. Theres even a photobooth to take pics and special frames for the print outs (there’s a frame available that I designed one too hehe).
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely want to first shout out my partner who without any questions told me to follow my dreams, supports me through all the challenges of running/being my own business, and takes care of me in so many ways every single day, I love you forever J. And of course my biggest cheerleaders, being there with me since the beginning, seeing and reassuring that gut feeling I had when I was deciding to quit my job and pursue nails full time. I really couldn’t have made it without the love and unwavering support from my siblings & cousins R, N, G, C, L, E, H, I, A, and everyone, I love you all so much!
Huge shout out to one of my inspirations and the person who believed in me when I was still just a smalltime anime/character press on nail artist on the side and connected me to the huge opportunity that was the catalyst for my full leap into nails, Narina Chan (@narinanails)!
Another big shout out and so much love to my best friend who is another huge inspiration and creative idol to me who not only has connected me with other incredible creatives and opened so many new doors, but also continuously helps me discover new levels of who I am as a person, a nail artist, and a creative, Eden Yeung (@edenyeung.nyc)!
Shout out to Robby De Mesa (@robbydemesa) my fellow filipino who I’ve had the honor of working with on one of my favorite shoots for connecting us and recommending me for this interview!
Lastly biiig big shout out to all my friends, clients, and melonbunnies. I love and am so thankful for each and everyone of you! You are the heart of Melonbun Nails <3>
Website: https://melonbunnails.square.site/
Instagram: @melonbun.nails
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melonbunnails
Other: Tik Tok: @melonbun.nails
Image Credits
@neverhaveiever.shop
@edenyeung.nyc
@mojojooe
@joycevisuals
@escaperealife
@karlatomanelli
@alllywei
@jpgethan
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