|
|
Michelle Vara holds an MFA from Plymouth University in the UK.
Vara’s daily practice has not changed over the last fifty years. The start of every day is meditation, reading, journaling, and drawing continuing her interests in the existential ‘hard questions of consciousness’ and ‘the energy of objects’ as pertaining to humanity, enlightenment, and other subjects. She is interested in the politics of the universal consciousness and tethered to the lineage of the Abstract Expressionists; it engages with Jungian ideals that there is a shared consciousness tapped into and revealed through the viewers' engagement with abstracted color and form as her work is not bound in one medium or style, but joins multiple platforms of material and processes that she believes necessary for subject engagement. Her interest is boundless and curiosities finalized through research.
She shares positive sparks of enthusiasm with everyone she meets and holds a high value in being open-minded, honest, and fun.
Vara’s daily practice has not changed over the last fifty years. The start of every day is meditation, reading, journaling, and drawing continuing her interests in the existential ‘hard questions of consciousness’ and ‘the energy of objects’ as pertaining to humanity, enlightenment, and other subjects. She is interested in the politics of the universal consciousness and tethered to the lineage of the Abstract Expressionists; it engages with Jungian ideals that there is a shared consciousness tapped into and revealed through the viewers' engagement with abstracted color and form as her work is not bound in one medium or style, but joins multiple platforms of material and processes that she believes necessary for subject engagement. Her interest is boundless and curiosities finalized through research.
She shares positive sparks of enthusiasm with everyone she meets and holds a high value in being open-minded, honest, and fun.
The Interview
At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to become an artist? Did the realization emerge slowly?
When I look back, I realize have been an artist intrigued by all things since the beginning of my experience. At a very young age I sold painted sea shells in a road side stand when other children made lemonade. I created signs for my father’s businesses with pictures. I always keep a sketchbook with me jotting down daily drawings and ideas, and keep that tradition even today. I would say yes, the realization came slowly because it was always who I was -not what I did.
How did you evolve your style and favorite mediums?
I believe relying on art for existence has made me stretch and wonder through every medium, out of curiosity or need. My personality reaches for understanding and comfort in fluidity of task. I love to research a subject and I am also interested in achieving for my clients commissions an outstanding product with detail and cleverness.
What are your time management techniques? Do you have regular working hours...or favorite times to work?
I have poor time management everything is caught up in ideas and production. In the morning is best for me to read and research. In the afternoons I meet with clients collect supplies and do logistics. Early evening and sometimes through the night I assemble and create but there’s never a time I don’t have a sketchbook at hand. So, my family finds it difficult because I’m not good at being a regular scheduled worker and find no interest in that.
Do you work on more than one piece at a time, or primarily just on one?
Yes, always.
What would you say is your biggest influence--that which keeps you working, regardless of all else, your most steadfast motivation?
Curiosity, humor, and the drive to understand or know.
Does trying something new and not knowing the rules -- the boundary pushing -- create anxiety or excitement in you? (Or both?)
I love new things and I am not anxious by nature. Rules are a societal implementation which in most cases for me are ignored, although I have good social skills and believe in being fair and kind. I have a lot of great old friends and I have never been in trouble.
Do you enjoy having the "duality of both chaos and control" or are you happiest with a set plan?
I am not a set plan kind of person.
Do you have any projects or events forthcoming?
I just finished creating a community art project with children for the Ti Arts Gallery windows. Which will be on display for the next few months. Where the children created environments in globes and I painted the backdrops with the theme of- “ Meditations of Positivity for the Future”.
I am building a large flaming reclaimed metal sculpture for a commission to be installed this summer.
I am creating a visual language (sculptures and paintings) about the currency of our political climate.
Intimacy Without Proximity
oil canvas
oil canvas
Life
Pon'ente
Positions of Hope-Meditation.
oil, ink on paper
oil, ink on paper
Contact the artist directly:
Michelle Vara -518-587-8706
6 Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery, Wilton NY
Website- http://www.michellevara.com
Social Media-
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/vara_michelle/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/michellevara.artist
Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery- https://www.facebook.com/ballardroadart/
Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vara-61008811/
Video- https://www.youtube.com/user/artistmvara
Michelle Vara -518-587-8706
6 Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery, Wilton NY
Website- http://www.michellevara.com
Social Media-
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/vara_michelle/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/michellevara.artist
Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery- https://www.facebook.com/ballardroadart/
Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vara-61008811/
Video- https://www.youtube.com/user/artistmvara