I have been painting in the Augusta Missouri area for over 8 years. They have an annual 10 day plein air paint-out there every April. The Katy Trail runs right through this lovely little town and is one of my favorite subjects. The vineyards and farm fields are also great views. Much of my subject matter this month reflects many of the scenes in and around Augusta and the Katy Trail.
How long have you been an artist?
I can remember loving to draw when I was 5 or 6 and took as many art classes as I could in High School. I went to Art School at a local community college in Vancouver Canada where I grew up. However I did not take a career in the arts after college. It has been a long and winding road. I took it up as a hobby about 12 years ago after I had moved to St. Louis. I started with watercolors and soon switched to pastels in 2000 when I found the local pastel society, Gateway Pastel Artists. Pastels are my main medium today.
What kind of art do you make?
My favorite subject matter is the landscape in pastels. Recently I have been doing watercolor washes under my pastels. However I also like to play with painting abstracts and using different mediums under the pastels. Some things I have been experimenting with are tissue paper collage, gesso, pumice and matte medium mixtures.
What is your "day job" if you have one?
I have been a commercial electrician with IBEW Local #1 for almost 8 years. It is a highly technical job. When I was doing my apprenticeship I found it hard to paint because everything was so right brain. I now find that I have to work at switching my brain over to the creative side whenever I want to paint. Sketching and music are good tools for this.
What other creative outlet would you explore if you couldn't make visual art?
Before I renewed my interest in painting I was involved in competitive dancing. I started with country dancing but soon switched to swing. To be more exact my style was West Coast Swing. Dancing is a great way to express oneself. I traveled across the US and Canada and competed at many swing dance conventions. We had elaborate routines and costumes.
Don't miss your chance to meet Michele and see her beautiful work in person this Friday, December 3rd from 6:00-9:00PM. We will have wine and appetizers from Mazara's.
