Artist Statement
Michelle in her studio at Phoenix Art Space. Photo by Manel Ortega
My work explores the relationship between colour, form and mood. I am interested in how my mood dictates the colour palette I choose to work with. I might start a painting in warm tones for example, and then feel completely out of sync with those colours the next time I'm in the studio, so I either put that work aside or paint over it. This frustrated me to begin with until I realised that my work is visceral and choosing the right colour for my mood is essential.
I am particularly fascinated by the emotional response to abstract images - where the response is not led by a recognised picture. Why can we be so emotionally charged by simple images? I ask this question of myself and the viewer.
As I work I'm constantly in a relationship with the painting - responding to colour by how it makes me feel. I make work in series or themes which allows me to set boundaries to a project, and then I explore the range of moods and colours that fit for me. Some paintings are many layered, as their stories develop and change as I work. Other pieces are born complete, but these are rare species that flow through me occasionally when the stars align and I’m without ego or self-consciousness.
It interests me how the viewer responds to the work - what they see in a painting and how it resonates for them. The work develops its own stories, it seems, that are projected on to it by the viewer. One of my favourite quotes, that highlights the link between what one brings (their life experiences) and how one approaches a work of art, is from John Berger:
“We never look at just one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves. Our vision is continually active, continually moving, continually holding things in a circle around itself, constituting what is present to us as we are.”
– Ways of Seeing, John Berger
I am particularly fascinated by the emotional response to abstract images - where the response is not led by a recognised picture. Why can we be so emotionally charged by simple images? I ask this question of myself and the viewer.
As I work I'm constantly in a relationship with the painting - responding to colour by how it makes me feel. I make work in series or themes which allows me to set boundaries to a project, and then I explore the range of moods and colours that fit for me. Some paintings are many layered, as their stories develop and change as I work. Other pieces are born complete, but these are rare species that flow through me occasionally when the stars align and I’m without ego or self-consciousness.
It interests me how the viewer responds to the work - what they see in a painting and how it resonates for them. The work develops its own stories, it seems, that are projected on to it by the viewer. One of my favourite quotes, that highlights the link between what one brings (their life experiences) and how one approaches a work of art, is from John Berger:
“We never look at just one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves. Our vision is continually active, continually moving, continually holding things in a circle around itself, constituting what is present to us as we are.”
– Ways of Seeing, John Berger
Biography
For my exhibition history, see Exhibitions.
Education
2011 Fine Art FdA, University of Brighton
2010 Art Foundation BTEC, CCB, Brighton
2008 Art & Design NCFE, CCB, Brighton
2008 Humanistic Counselling certificate, Gestalt Centre, London
2002 7307 Certificate in Teaching, City & Guilds, CCB, Brighton
2001 Yoga Teacher Training certificate, sVYASA, Bangalore, India
2000 BA (Hons) Visual Culture, University of Brighton
Education
2011 Fine Art FdA, University of Brighton
2010 Art Foundation BTEC, CCB, Brighton
2008 Art & Design NCFE, CCB, Brighton
2008 Humanistic Counselling certificate, Gestalt Centre, London
2002 7307 Certificate in Teaching, City & Guilds, CCB, Brighton
2001 Yoga Teacher Training certificate, sVYASA, Bangalore, India
2000 BA (Hons) Visual Culture, University of Brighton