beyond the surface: adrianne mitchell
At its heart, Studio Who is rooted in the belief that artistry is inseparable from identity. We're endlessly inspired by the creative beings—near and far—who commit to the often tender, sometimes intense work of self-discovery, cultural remembering, and shaping lives that feel deeply their own.
BEYOND THE SURFACE is our way of honoring that process. It’s a space to spotlight individuals growing beautiful things from the inside out. With each portrait, each conversation, we hope to weave a subtle thread—one that connects us through our roots and evolutions, our questions, contradictions, fears, and all the quiet beauty in between.
We’re honored to begin this series with Adrianne Mitchell of Ayge Skin, a Portland-based holistic skin therapist who radiates nurturance, quiet understanding, and holds some of the most intuitive touch we've ever experienced. Adrianne’s work is more than skincare—it’s presence work, a soft returning to self through care, connection, and embodied wisdom.
who are you?
My name is Adrianne. I’m a holistic skin therapist currently practicing in Portland, OR. I own Ayge Skin, a niche botanical skincare studio where I perform intuitive facial treatments inspired by the beauty of aging.
WHAT PART OF YOURSELF SHOWS UP MOST IN YOUR WORK — CONSCIOUSLY OR NOT?
The gift of my nurturing self. My nurturing spirit has gotten me through some of the hardest times with my ability to self soothe. This part of me holds space for me and reminds me to constantly come back to my own rituals that make me feel in tune. I implement this into my work with hopes of making my clients feel a sense of care beyond the surface. I have felt shame for being “too nurturing” at times but I am beyond proud of this part of myself now because I understand it’s a superpower that not all humans embody.
HAS YOUR IDEA OF “SUCCESS” SHIFTED OVER TIME?
Gosh, tremendously. At the start of my career I was so unclear of what success looked like to me and the “why” behind me wanting to attain this form of “success”. It wasn’t until I began to embrace the changes in seasons, the intense shedding, and the peaks and valleys that I was able to let go. Success to me now looks like going with the flow, being able to stand up again, knowing when to rest, and finding a sense of freedom.
“I feel most aligned in who I am and show up the
strongest, where ever I am guided, only when I am deeply in tune with
myself.”
Adrianne Mitchell
DO YOU CREATE MORE FROM CURIOSITY, OR FROM MEMORY?
I believe I resonate more with memory. I work with my hands and our hands hold so much memory in itself. The tools to feed and soothe ourselves as babies, the hand holding with our first crush, the greeting to a stranger, cooking a meal for our loved ones. Our hands hold so much memory. Nostalgia is one of the most important things to me in creating an experience during a treatment. I want to spark memory through sound, touch, and scent. This is how my practice remains so deeply intentional.
HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR CREATIVE ENERGY?
By not comparing or looking to others for inspiration. I find my inspiration for creation through nature and reflection.
WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW THAT YOU DIDN’T BEFORE?
How deeply important it is to fully let go. To walk a new path, to discover new enlightenment, a new sense of self. The things, people, etc. that are meant for you will inevitably keep showing up.
IF THIS MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE WERE A SCENT, SOUND, OR A TEXTURE — WHAT WOULD IT BE?
An instrument of some sort-or an orchestra that brings you to tears through its glory. I played the violin for a few years during my youth and can still vividly remember a recital that moved into a deeper love with the power of musical instruments. This translated into my teen years where I’d fall asleep while listening to my iPod, witnessing my father listening to music in our backyard under the stars for hours, and now integrating music into my practice at Ayge. Music has inevitability been a large part of my life in so many ways and I’ve found true healing through its frequencies during tough times. At my age now, entering 30 years of life, I feel like a whole ass opera song in the best way. So many layers, so much emotion, so much grace and simply just falling deeper into peace.
Follow along for more features, works in progress, and updates at www.studio-who.co
