Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Fu
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember, practically coming out of the womb with a paintbrush. In reality, I only started dabbling in arts and crafts around third grade, then integrating oil painting entering high school. I fell in love with the creative freedom art allowed, no rules or guidelines to restrain you. I first found mixed media especially interesting, since the works were created with layers and layers of material, all of which weren’t necessarily seen by the audience. When I started transitioning into fine art, I developed a new fixation altogether. It was so serene, being able to loose track of time with a brush and a blank canvas. I tried painting a variety of things, but landscapes have always been my favorite. Poetic, right? Painting an escape while the motions of painting itself was the escape. As time went on, I combined my past with mixed media to my skill of oil painting. I now continue to push myself to make pieces that will connect to the audience on a deeper level.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As any type of art, hobby, or practice in life, my journey hasn’t always been easy. My first art teacher was an inspiring lady named Merline. She taught me all there was to know about breaking the stereotypes about art. She quickly became more than a mentor, but also my close friend. I remember our late nights together, when she would close down her studio after all her other students left and we would order dinner while discussing different projects we were working on. Abruptly one day I heard that she would be moving via email. She had been hiding that she had alzheimer’s and it had gotten to a point where she needed to be closer to family… in a different state. I didn’t know the last time I saw her would be the last time, but I never saw her again. I stopped making art after she moved, partly because I didn’t know how to handle loosing contact with someone who had so quickly became my inspiration. It took about a year for me to give art another try; In my heart I knew I couldn’t give up on this skill, for myself and for Merline.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Though I love all forms of art, I mainly produce oil paintings of landscapes specifically. With my background in a wide realm of art types though, I started combining mixed media with my paintings. I don’t understand why painting has to be confined to canvas, so I started painting on all different types of surfaces including glass, wooden boxes, 3-D objects, etc. This elevates the pieces to represent something so much bigger than themselves and brings the subject to life. I also adapt various materials to my artwork, such as fish hooks, barbed wire, and metal to create installations or interactive artwork. This exploration has definitely set me apart from other artists and continues to be my favorite part of what I do.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Art is such a subjective topic with lots of potential on collaboration. It would be so inspiring to work with other business owners, whether that’s by painting on their products or featuring my art in their location. I love brainstorming ideas for how far art can go, so I hope others would also be up for the challenge!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleefuu/
