We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michaela Foreman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Michaela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
The shift from corporate suits to overalls and steel-toed boots was no small feat. Embarking on a new business venture while simultaneously mastering a whole new set of skills is a humbling experience like no other. It demands courage—the kind that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. There’s an exhilarating thrill in embracing the unknown, but it also requires a healthy dose of risk tolerance. You have to believe in yourself and trust that the universe will recognize your hard work and dedication. It’s a journey of growth, where every challenge becomes a stepping stone toward something greater. You have to approach it like an adventure
Moving from a sedentary lifestyle to the demanding physicality of farm life was a challenge. At first, the chores left me exhausted, but as I adapted, I grew stronger and found joy in the work itself. I immersed myself in caring for the animals and the land, learning with every step. Now, as I write, I can almost hear my body complaining from too much sitting—it’s a reminder of the active life I’ve chosen.
Of course, there have been moments of doubt. One particularly frigid morning, with a minus forty-degree wind chill, I found myself trudging through the darkness to feed the animals. Encased in layers to combat the biting cold, I felt the weight of responsibility—keeping my animals safe and warm in brutal conditions. That day, I confronted the raw reality of farming, witnessing the fragility of life and the emotional toll of loss. It’s a constant reminder of the interconnectedness of existence, where joy and grief coexist in the cycles of nature.
Gone are the days of slipping into crisp suits and enjoying the comforts of a heated office. I now embrace the unpredictable and rugged beauty of early mornings on the farm. Even in moments of struggle, I find freedom and peace in my choices. This life is mine, a commitment to something I love deeply, despite the challenges.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve dreamed of escaping the confines of urban life for the serene embrace of a farm. A place where neighbors don’t peer over garden fences, where I could have room for not just a pony, but five of them, and enough dogs to match the horses outside. Imagine beautiful vistas framed by every window, a canvas of nature unfolding around me.
In 2010, that dream became a reality when we purchased our farm in central Wisconsin—a diamond in the rough, eager for some love and attention. Nestled just five minutes north of a quaint town, we find ourselves surrounded by the rhythms of dairy, beef, and arable farming. Our forty acres include about thirteen wooded, blissful spaces, with the farmhouse perched at 850 feet above sea level, rising to a breathtaking 1080 feet at the top pasture. The views are nothing short of spectacular.
But life here is not without its challenges. We endure bone-chilling winters with minus forty wind chills and sweltering summers exceeding one hundred degrees. With four distinct seasons, spring can feel fleeting, and winter often descends like a hammer after Halloween. We experience everything from snowstorms to tornadoes and the stunning beauty of starry nights or the occasional aurora borealis. Each dawn greets us with a clear view of the sunrise, while sunsets paint the sky in breathtaking colors.
Farming and art photography may seem like an unlikely pairing, yet they are intertwined in my journey. I believe we all possess a blend of practicality and creativity, even if some have yet to discover their artistic spark. Life is about love, learning, and creating. After leaving behind the fast-paced world of software project management, I embraced the uncertainty of life as an independent consultant. This path required faith in my abilities but ultimately funded the farm I now cherish.
Reflecting on my past, it often feels like a master plan guided my choices. I was drawn to computing for its promise of a good salary, consciously opting for independence to authentically represent myself. This freedom allowed me to lead diverse teams without bias, but eventually, the relentless business travel wore me down. I feared I might die alone in a hotel room, working hard to pay for things I was seldom present for. Retiring from the software world was a lifeline, allowing me to transition to a life that truly nourished my spirit.
The beauty of the farm inspired me to capture moments through photography. It became a release—a chance to pause and appreciate the world around me. I began sharing my images on Instagram, gradually building a community of fellow nature lovers. With encouragement from my talented brother-in-law, Andrew, an esteemed artist and professor, I delved deeper into photography. My husband, Shane, gifted me a Fuji camera and macro lens, igniting my passion further. Submitting my work to competitions and magazines yielded positive results—awards, publications, and even exhibitions in Barcelona followed.
Every photograph I take is rooted in my connection to the land. On our forty acres, I find endless inspiration, capturing the subtleties of light and the changing seasons. Whether it’s the golden glow of dawn or the soft shadows in a barn, I strive to showcase the beauty of everyday farm life. My photography transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary, a sentiment echoed by an Instagram follower who praised my ability to elevate the simple moments.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my website, www.urbandirtfarmstudios.com, where I can share and sell my work. It’s a dream to fund the farm through creativity, especially in a time when farming can be an uphill battle. I hope to demonstrate a different way to thrive off the land—by sharing its beauty with the world.
This farm is our paradise, a labor of love that continues to blossom. It’s my everyday vacation, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I hope to spend my final days here, surrounded by the land I cherish. My photography reflects this passion, inviting viewers to see the world through my eyes—whether it’s the stark beauty of a winter morning or the warm glow of a barn at dusk. Through my art, I aim to share the love I have for this farm and the vibrant life it holds.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Authenticity helps. Creating art or a product that represents who you are or how you live carries a sense of authenticity and personal narrative. Art that reflects an artist’s life story tends to forge a stronger emotional connection with viewers. Buyers are often drawn to pieces that evoke feelings and invite them into the artist’s world. Each artist has a distinct viewpoint shaped by their experiences, culture, and environment. This uniqueness can make your artwork stand out in the market, appealing to collectors who are looking for originality. Some of my instagram followers know my farm animals by name and thoroughly enjoy the latest image of their favorite horse or chicken. Having a resume also helped me before getting a solo show and launching a website to gain sales. Building up a good resume, being published, winning awards and being in magazines and exhibitions gives you credibility. I’d recommend working on those things before attempting to sell your work but there isn’t a hard rule that you couldn’t do both at the same time.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I have a marketing calendar that is updated regularly with a company dedicated to help artists launch their work online. We post on social media twice a week and email once a week. We offer first time discounts and special discounts around the holidays. If I get a new follower on social media I follow them back and dedicate time each day to engage on my followers accounts to interact on their content. Periodically I’ll hold a freebie giveaway competition. Recently I launched a competition where my followers can guess the length of my horses mane for a piece of artwork and a set of notecards. Its fun to get people engaged and interacting with you on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.urbandirtfarmstudios.com
- Instagram: @udfarming
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064790733769
Image Credits
Image credits @udfarming – Urban Dirt Studio