We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Clemen 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. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2020, I made the decision to step away from my job as a registered nurse, a position I had dedicated myself to for 8years. While nursing had provided me with a safety net, I found myself in an overwhelming amount of burnout and a sense of unease within my work environment. Driven by a profound need for change, I made the choice to resign.

Soon after leaving my nursing career behind, I enrolled in a master’s degree program. However, once the attainment of my master’s degree, I made a resolute decision to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams instead. In this endeavor, I adopted a mindset that left no room for failure, embracing it as the sole option.

I poured myself into the business, working tirelessly for nearly 12 hours each day. From that, I managed to secure partnerships with high end brands such as Tiffany and Co, Bloomingdales, and Duty Free Shops. Furthermore, I introduced a bottle painting course in 2022 (Fundamentals of Bottle Painting FBP), followed by a second edition in 2023 (FBP Advanced), with hundreds of students from around the world.

Currently, I’m in the the process of launching a podcast with Telisa Roessein, my co-instructor for FBP Advanced, and continue to work as an artist, as well as support my students.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Michelle and I am a calligrapher and artist. With 5 years on this creative journey, I’m fueled by a desire to help bring client events to life. I’ve woven my passion into personalizing various surfaces with calligraphy, engraving, and bottle painting for brands and creative agencies at on-site live events.

By combining my background as a registered nurse with my creative flair, I’ve discovered a way to merge professionalism with heartfelt connections. Whether it’s through hand-lettering or hand-painting, each piece I personalize holds the power to transform moments into cherished memories for clients and guests.

I have partnered with notable brands such as Neiman Marcus, Tiffany and Co, and Duty Free Shop among others. It also brings me joy that my journey has caught the attention of publications like the New York Weekly and Hawaii Business Magazine.

I thrive on connecting with customers while giving products a personalized touch. My goal is to strengthen brand loyalty, spark excitement, for an absolutely unique experience!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am determined to raise awareness about bottle painting within the calligraphy community and provide valuable education on live event art. These are two areas I’m deeply passionate about and believe deserve more attention.

Bottle painting, in particular, offers a unique canvas for artistic expression. I love to share my expertise in this area to help others appreciate it’s potential.

Additionally, I want to emphasize the importance of live event skills, which can significantly enhance an artist’s career. Unfortunately, this subject isn’t widely discussed and I want to make it more accessible to everyone.

Overall, my goal is to empower fellow artists in the calligraphy community, through expanding their skills and bottle painting.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’ve always wanted to become an artist. From a young age, I found joy in painting and drawing, consistently enrolling in art classes throughout my middle school and high school years. However, when the time came to decide on a college major, I succumbed to the belief that “artists don’t make money.” Consequently, I chose a path in nursing.

While my nursing career allowed me to provide compassionate care to my patients, there was a persistent feeling that a significant part of my soul remained unfulfilled. Over the years, I ventured into various jobs and even dabbled in business ventures, but none of them truly resonated with me. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t escape the nagging sense that I wasn’t pursuing my true passion.

Now, as I find myself immersed in art on a daily basis, I’ve found the fulfillment that has eluded me for so long. I can finally pursue my artistic passion, a journey that has brought me tons of happiness and a sense of purpose. It’s a realization that has been a long time coming, and for the first time in my life, I am genuinely in love with what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.junipercalligraphy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juniper.calligraphy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleclemen/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@junipercalligraphy
• Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@eventreadypodcast

Image Credits
The professional photos (3) have been watermarked. Please let me know if you need them without the watermarks.