We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Reeves. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

During a job interview in 2017, a gentleman asked the question, “What are you passionate about?”. I couldn’t answer the question which bothered me so much. This question prompted me to go back to school for an Interior Design degree. So, at the age of 52, I went back to school. I’ve been creative and artistic my whole life and dabbled in staging and design so I thought this would be a good fit and would fill the void I was feeling professionally and spiritually. But it was through course work in my color theory class that the desire to create through painting exploded inside me. I literally erupted with creativity, joy and the intense desire to create. I painted everyday, hours a day, it was volcanic. Soon a distinct style emerged and I started to paint full time and never looked back.
At 52 years old I finally felt like I had found my true north, my professional purpose and my souls joy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been affected by color my whole life. It brings joy, delivers goose bumps and can affect me physically. I’ve been a professional make-up artist, Regional Marketing Specialist for a large property management company and have sold products from cars to foundation. But I never felt I was in the right place. I couldn’t find my professional purpose or my souls joy.

When I went back to school at the age of 52 years old for interior design, I thought for sure this was it. But, through course work in 2018 that I started to paint and it lit my soul on fire. I came to life and realized, that even though I’ve always had a good sense of color and was creative, I never gave myself permission to think about becoming an artist so the though never occurred to me to pursue this avenue.

I envy people who grow up knowing exactly what they want to do in life. But for those of us who are late bloomers, or are searching for “our thing”, it goes back to “what did you enjoy doing as a child?”. As a child, I would spend hours coloring in coloring books, decorating cakes or looking through coffee table books on Monet and van Gogh. So why, for the love of Pete, did I not listen to that little girl who loved art so much and pursue it? If you are having trouble pin-pointing your path, ask yourself that same question and I bet it will lead you to your souls joy.

When I finally started to listen to my voice and obey the command of “be an artist”, I didn’t hold back. I talked to everyone, I showed my work on my phone to the people at the art store, friends, family, artists at art shows, I entered contests, I applied to artist residencies, I basically had no fear. That no fear attitude is what I’m most proud of. At this point I’m like, “Hey, I’m 52, I’m making up for lost time!”

I’ve been competitive and athletic my whole life and this mindset helped me forge a path with focus and determination. I didn’t let fear get in my way to move forward. I’ll admit, I was all over the board, but what this frantic movement did was open doors, opened my mind and honed my focus. Not to mention my crazy painting schedule…..ev-er-y day, rendered some cool work.

I’ve been asked why do I paint flowers? First, I love them and they bring great memories with my grandmother and mom. And second, flowers can tell unlimited stories and have stunningly beautiful color….and color is my thing. I don’t paint what I see, but rather the color, movement, feeling and possibilities of the subject. The emotive happenings of life whether they be good, bad or ugly are expressed using color and botanical reference. I feel a certain creative freedom and license when I paint flowers and that gives me great joy.

My first break came in the form of winning an international award for one of my paintings which was in 2019. Now, 3.5 years later, I’ve won 30 international juried awards, am in 4 galleries in the eastern united states, have been awarded two overseas artist residencies, have been published 10 times either in print or media, have had my work licensed by two major retailers and have been in almost 50 shows. Not bad for a girl starting at age 52! Now at 56, I am focused, and streamlined and I continue to learn and push myself not wanting to stay stagnant so I can continue to offer work I’m proud of.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

As I interact with people of all ages, the two biggest comment and question are; “How long have you been painting?” and I wish I knew what I’m supposed to be doing.”

When the “how long” question is asked it spring boards the conversation to unbelief that I haven’t been painting for long, which in turn leads to an explanation which is this; when you are doing what you were born to do, everything flows and you swim down stream, it feels easy and things fall into place.

This conversation many times leads to an express of a deep desire to know what their life joy/purpose is. This comment leads to me asking: “What did you enjoy doing as a child?”. I truly believe the deep desires and joys of our childhood are hints to our great joy as adults.

It is truly my honor and great joy when someone connects with my art. It is in these moments that I am so thankful that I finally listened to my little voice and is the most rewarding part of being an artist.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience and focus have always been one of my strength. It is important that I continue to move forward. For me it’s not good enough that I paint a pretty picture, I have to be moving forward and learning….always learning. I do this by taking risks. Whether by smearing black paint all over a painting then squeegeeing off excess, or painting with my hands, or blending and scraping, whatever it is, I have to keep pushing myself. I don’t want to continue to paint the same thing over and over.

There is also a bit of proving myself as I don’t have the training or a degree in art. Natural talent is a your gift and what you do with it is what counts. So I’ll continue searching, stretching and enjoying myself as I learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michellereevesart.com
• Instagram: @michellereevesartnashville
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michchicart
• Linkedin: Michelle Reeves-Artist at Michelle Reeves Art

Image Credits
LS Grossman