Michelle Buchanan
When did you realize you wanted to make art seriously? Seriously? About six months ago. I’d love to say I always knew I was an artist, but it would be a lie. I’m kind of envious of people who say they knew when they were fi ve year s old, and remember their very first painting. I think of how glorious, stable, and reassuring that must feel.
How would you describe the ambiance of your studio space? It’s pretty horrible. My studio is in my basement. I have one small window with virtually no natural light. But I’m really grateful to have the space to work in, so I don’t complain. And it’s actually a very warm feeling space. Plus my dogs always follow me down there and lay around me while I’m working. Sometimes they look at my paintings and bark. I love that.
Gorilla Negotiations 2012 oil on canvas
Do you think the internet is crucial to the success of artists today? Most certainly. The area I live in is small with very little art culture around. It can be pretty isolating. The internet has really opened up a world of opportunities for me. Not only can I connect with other artists and continue learning, I can stay current with what’s happening in the larger cities, as well as establish relationships with people who appreciate and are interested in what I am doing. I’m a pin drop on the map, and it
just wouldn’t be possible for me to do much of that without an outside connection. PoetsArtists magazine and community has been a great source of inspiration and guidance for me. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
Tell us about the first experience you had showing your work. I laugh about it now. I put some work in a feminist show last year and was pretty excited about it. I met with the curator the day I dropped off the pieces. She talked to me for about an hour as we walked around looking at all the work that was being hung in the show. I was confident and proud of the work I brought in. The night of the opening I walked into the gallery and was overwhelmed with a feeling of, well, I can only explain it as embarrassment. I could feel my face turning red and flushed, I couldn’t look at my work or even go near it. I didn’t talk to a single person. I stayed for what felt like 3 hours but was actually three minutes. It was a strange and funny thing.
www.poetsandartists.com
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