We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Schultz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I entered college I felt unsure of what career path I should choose. A huge decision for an 18 year old. I had always loved art and carried a sketchbook wherever I went from a young age, so I chose to become an art major.
In my first classes on perspective I knew this path was for me. I was fascinated by all the technical skills that could be used to recreate how I experienced life. Throughout my studies I saw many classmates before me graduate and shockingly quit their art and get more conventional jobs, giving up on their degree so quickly. I made up my mind to not ever let this happen to me.
After graduation I moved to New Zealand, got a job in a bar, and began pursuing a career as a painter. I often did commissions and had shows in local galleries, and for three years I felt like I was truly pursuing my passion.
Unfortunately life got in the way, and once I moved back to the states my art took a back seat. It was many years of only painting here and there, and it felt like I would never feel that creative spark again.
Strangely enough, when I was pregnant with my third child I picked up my paint brush again. The universe moves in strange ways, and after selling 3 paintings in one week after such a long hiatus, I took it as a sign to dive feet first into my second chance at an art career. Throughout my pregnancy I began building a website and painting like mad. My determination kicked in, and I have now been chasing my dream for the past 3 years with no desire to ever stop.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a fine artist based in Bend, Oregon. After earning an art degree from the University of Georgia, I began the first 3 years of my artistic career exhibiting work in Wellington, New Zealand. My work is influenced by my Lebanese heritage and roots in the American South.
I create acrylic paintings exploring feminine strength and ancestral connection by capturing the intimate moments within my own spiritual journey. Vivid colors communicate the sensitivity and emotion in my work. Through paint I create a channel for the viewer to connect to ones’ own sense of self more deeply.
I also am the host of the podcast She Who Paints where I share knowledge and healing for other creative entrepreneurs.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I knew about the mindset piece behind being an artist earlier in my creative journey. We focus so much on our skills and conceptual ideas, but when I started out I was lacking the mental belief in myself. From a young age I told myself that I am a creative, so I am not good at business. This silly myth is so prevalent in the artistic community. We tell ourselves we are one demential, not good at math or not good at business.
It wasn’t until I joined one of the online artist communities that began popping up after 2020, that I started to see those this as skills that could be learned and not traits in my personality. I started taking online courses on marketing and learning how other artists ahead of me in their career had made strategic moves. This one shift in mindset and the stories I told myself changed everything.
I became invigorated in my practice again and began to realize anything was possible. With time and patience I could learn anything and level up as an artist.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The books that really helped me as an entrepreneur were Profit First by Mike Michalowicz and Girls That Invest by Simran Kaur.
It is exciting when you begin to make sales, but knowing more about how to handle your finances and business, so it will support you, take care of you, and give you independence is what we all really want. These books will help you on your way to being financially stable from the beginning as your creative business grows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michelleschultzstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleschultzart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelleschultzart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschultzart/
• Other: Join The Collector’s Circle: https://mailchi.mp/b3302e4faa83/vip-list