Interview with the wonderful Michele Maule
Please give a warm Crafted welcome to Michele. She is a wonderful artist who has been kind enough to give up some of her time to answer a few questions. 🙂
Tell us a little about yourself. Who is Michele?
I live in Portland, Oregon with my Boston Terrier, Chloe Baloney and my boyfriend, Nate.
I graduated from Portland State University in 2005 with a degree in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking. I work part time for a local grocery store, but I would love to someday make art my full time job.
I live in Portland, Oregon with my Boston Terrier, Chloe Baloney and my boyfriend, Nate.
I graduated from Portland State University in 2005 with a degree in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking. I work part time for a local grocery store, but I would love to someday make art my full time job.
Give us the basic run down of a day in the life of Michele.
When I’m not working at my day job my day usually starts with a morning run, walking the dog, drinking coffee, answering e-mails, and finally making some art!
When I’m not working at my day job my day usually starts with a morning run, walking the dog, drinking coffee, answering e-mails, and finally making some art!
When did start painting? Have you always been a creative person?
I’ve loved making art for a very long time. It was always my favorite class while I was in school and I always felt like I was in my element when I was being creative. I started to learn how to paint in 1999. I was taking some painting classes at my community college and I just fell in love with it.
I’ve loved making art for a very long time. It was always my favorite class while I was in school and I always felt like I was in my element when I was being creative. I started to learn how to paint in 1999. I was taking some painting classes at my community college and I just fell in love with it.
How would you describe your “style”
I feel like my style is illustrative and bright.
I feel like my style is illustrative and bright.
What mediums do you use to create your works?
I tend to use a lot of different mediums. I love collage, oil painting, etching, screen painting, and drawing. I like to jump from one medium to another. It keeps things interesting!
I tend to use a lot of different mediums. I love collage, oil painting, etching, screen painting, and drawing. I like to jump from one medium to another. It keeps things interesting!
Where does your inspiration come from?
I tend to find inspiration in the everyday things that surround me. Things like clocks, tea cups, chairs, french presses. The things that make my life so great but are often so over looked.
I tend to find inspiration in the everyday things that surround me. Things like clocks, tea cups, chairs, french presses. The things that make my life so great but are often so over looked.
If you ever get stuck in a creative rut what do you find helps to get you back in gear?
I’ve actually been in quite a creative rut recently. I’m taking a break from art and reading, hanging out with my dog, wanderingaround neighborhoods, and soaking up the beautiful fall weather. I’m hoping that all of this will spark my creative fire soon!
I’ve actually been in quite a creative rut recently. I’m taking a break from art and reading, hanging out with my dog, wanderingaround neighborhoods, and soaking up the beautiful fall weather. I’m hoping that all of this will spark my creative fire soon!
What is your work space like?
I work in a little office in my house. I also use part of my garage for painting. I try to keep the fumes limited to the garage!
I work in a little office in my house. I also use part of my garage for painting. I try to keep the fumes limited to the garage!
If you had to pick one of the items in your etsy store right now to be your favourite which would it be?
I love any of the pieces with my dog Chloe in it. She’s my favorite little friend.
I understand you sell your works in shops. That is amazing! How did you go about getting your work into real stores?
Many of the shops that I sell in found my work through Etsy!
Many of the shops that I sell in found my work through Etsy!
What advice do you wish someone had given to you when you where getting into the creative market?
I guess I would have to tell them not to expect much in the beginning. Also, don’t compare yourself to other artists who are similar in style to you. It can be very discouraging. Just focus on your work and what you do.
I guess I would have to tell them not to expect much in the beginning. Also, don’t compare yourself to other artists who are similar in style to you. It can be very discouraging. Just focus on your work and what you do.
I love the collage elements in some of your works. How do you choose which materials you will use in a piece?
I have a collection of papers that I’ve gathered over the course of several years. I don’t have an exact method of how I pick the paper that will make up the collage. I just tear and paste as I see fit. I can really get lost in that process and that’s what I love the most about it!
I have a collection of papers that I’ve gathered over the course of several years. I don’t have an exact method of how I pick the paper that will make up the collage. I just tear and paste as I see fit. I can really get lost in that process and that’s what I love the most about it!
Any crafty websites you are currently addicted to?
Not particularly. I haven’t had a lot of time to visit many websites lately. I do always love Poppytalk, Decor8, and Design*Sponge. Those are my go to sites for inspiration!
Not particularly. I haven’t had a lot of time to visit many websites lately. I do always love Poppytalk, Decor8, and Design*Sponge. Those are my go to sites for inspiration!
Last of all if you could be any disney character which one would you be and why?
Hmmm… I guess I would be Mary Poppins! She seems so organized and put together. Plus she flies around with an umbrella. Brilliant!
Hmmm… I guess I would be Mary Poppins! She seems so organized and put together. Plus she flies around with an umbrella. Brilliant!
Check out more of Michele’s awesome work by clicking the link below
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