Artist Spotlight : Michelle Mclean

Artists are each unique, providing a very useful thing to our society. It provokes thought as well as provides visually pleasing elements to our lives. Today we're going to be looking at some of the work of Michelle Mclean, and I want you to think about how people can help artists to create. Michelle currently has an account on Patreon where you can see more of her work, as well as help support her dream of working in the art field.

Michelle Mclean has been cultivating her artistic skills since she was in eighth grade. When she first started, she felt that her pieces weren't very good. A fact that she willingly stated in a phrase that many artists and creators are likely to understand. Michelle said "It kind of sucked when I started not gonna lie. The reason it sucked though was because I wasn't drawing the way my brain could work it. I use geometry to get the basic shapes an what not on the paper then I soften the edges to make it look more like the picture I am going for and less like a mess."

She took something she enjoyed, and has been working on it since, creating a unique feel that has an appeal for a variety of reasons. She has come to love making or drawing anything. Stretching her creative wings into writing as well, but she still likes drawing a lot. 

Michelle has also explored her talents by serving her church as the art director for Vacation Bible School. She held the office for three years, until she turned it over to a relative that she believes is more qualified as they went to college for it.

When she was asked what the most difficult part of a project was, she had another familiar answer, which offers solidarity for the artistic types. The hardest part for any project, she believes is the ability to keep the gumption together to complete what she starts. Sometimes money can be an issue when it comes to a project, but more often than not it can be frustration of the piece not quite meeting her standards. When she gets too frustrated she often will walk away from the piece, and come back at another time when she's decided how to fix it, or give up on it and start from the beginning. She has several vignettes.

I asked her about her most recent project, and she said that it was a self portrait. She wanted to do this because it's her belief that she sees herself differently than other people see her. She chose to draw it in a semi realistic style, and was pleased with the way that it turned out.

I asked her what she felt the best advice would be to offer an aspiring artist. And she offered a rather interesting response.

"You are both your own best friend and own worst enemy. As I learned when I went to a workshop for a thing called nanowrimo which is an abbreviated way of saying national writing month. Lock your inner editor in a closet in your mind and let them kick scream holler and yell all they want but don't give in to them. If it is doing something like drawing or if it is writing either way you are your own harshest critic therefore if you are passionate remember there are some people who can literally throw paint on a canvas or in some cases even other things and sell it as art so if they can make a mess and sell it for 1 mil you can make your art and sell it too."

I really think that Michelle has a developing talent that many people might enjoy watching.  The image to the left, is one of my favorites from the portfolio she shared with me. I love the light lines, and the flow of the body works well. Plus I have a very soft spot for anime animal people of late. I don't know why, I just do.

If you're interested in seeing what other types of art Michelle Mclean has to offer you can join her feed on Patreon. Remember that every artist that uses Patreon is creating for their fanbase, as well as for the love of their art. They're looking for your input and support. Plus they enjoy the challenges patrons offer at time.