We recently connected with Diane Michelin and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was around 4 year old. My dad was sitting in his comfy rotating chair, listening music on tv. He loved TELE DOMINICA, with Italian singers. I was sitting on the carpet, with a sheet of white paper and coloured pencils. I must say that I was lucky to have school supplies at my disposition, because dad was working for Montreal Catholic School board.
Seeing me drawing, he took my paper and a black coloured pencil and just mesmerized, I saw miracle appearing: in just few minutes the head of a lion started to be traced, with exactitude and precision.
He gave me back his wonderful drawing. While he was watching the end of his Sunday musical show, I was holding a lion in my 2 hands. How was it possible?
At that precise moment, I knew that I wanted to repeat it and for many years, as a very young girl, drawing was my favorite past time.
Being also very shy, my 4th year teacher Laure Yergeau, decided to ask me to draw large scenes on the blackboard, each Friday after school hours. So Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine Day and Easter were celebrated greatly, each Monday morning for the full week. My classmates were happy, impressed and were asking lots of questions. I must say that this teacher knew how to rebuild my confidence.
So years later, I knew that when asked to do a specific and memorable commission, I hope that the client will be in awe and greatful.

Diane, 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 always knew that my creative side was strong, Having been a coach in synchronized swimming for 14 years and later an elementary teacher, I would create choregraphy with my swimmers, structuring routines and choosing appropriated music . As a teacher, making puppets, writing a novel, making costumes for plays or directing theaters shows were moments that build confidence in me and my pupils. Later I decided to go to l’Ecole des beaux-Arts in Paris to study art but it was a failure. Later I decided to quit teaching to pursue an artistic career. It was a huge decision knowing that my income will be way less and that I will risk a lot. I did not contemplate failures and was determined to succeed.
When I met my second husband, he really helped me greatly by directing my focus on painting fly fishing. This outdoors new activities became my focus. It did not take long for me to establish myself in that specific group of people. Doing shows, selling my art around the world and creating paintings that move, touch and leave memories. I have been invited to give art workshops in Italy, Oregon, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia. I have exhibited in international art shows.
My main interest in doing commissions is to comprehend the intimist world of my clients. It is the most rewarding career, always changing, never guaranteed but so surprising. I will paint until my head and hands cannot do the work.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Being very independent, my mindset is to count on my, on my instinct which causes me sometimes to be irritated by not being able to do everything my way and it is where I struggle. My husband is my partner in crime, my agent and my best critic. We argue, we discuss and finally I trust him. It takes a lot to be a painter. You cannot achieve alone. You need support and help in management, publicity, choices of challenges, publicity, finance and so on.

My greatest lesson learned on my 30 or more years as independent worker in a creative world is to never stay stagnant, always accept changes, be open to critics but overall give 100% of yourself with integrity and resilience.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When social medias arrive and websites weren’t a tool as good to promote yourself, my son indicated me that I should promote my artworks on Facebook. I started in 2009. I must say and still is my biggest gallery. Having artworks in galleries can be a tragic path with gallerist that aren’t truthful, don’t know the business or also may steal from you. Distances are also a huge problem to visit them and bring new art. Later Instagram became my second tool. Now, the competition is enormous. So many present their art to the world that you are lucky to be found. Many artists have to give lessons, sells prints or books and art supplies to survive.
As an artist, your success depend on you and your visibility. You are the sole vendor.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dianemichelin.com
• Instagram: dimipaints
• Facebook: dianepaints@gmail.com
• Linkedin: dianepaints@gmail.com
• Youtube: Diane Michelin

Image Credits
All these watercolor paintings are mine. My other preferred subject matters are portraits. Done by Diane Michelin