Upon Turning 60

The New Found Peace at Sixty

I am calling this chapter of my life "New Found Peace At sixty"

My birthday was this month. A milestone. No fancy party, no social get together, no dinners out...just a quiet day at home.

So too...now my artwork style matches my lifestyle approach.

I have slowed down. I have built my boundaries, quieted the need for external validation, and stepped away from the relentless pursuit of fame, status, or gallery representation.

In this chapter, my creative process is an act of reclamation. I make art to relieve stress, to escape the chaos of the world, and to please myself first. But when I create from this place of stillness, the work transforms. It is no longer just "medicine" for my own soul; it can also become a touching gift for others. My hope is that these pieces remain on this earth long after I leave it, continuing to spread joy to other viewers.

-Recently, I had the privilege of giving a "gift" of family memories to a buyer through my piece, "Pad with a View".

-I’ve also completed a meaningful commission that I look forward to revealing soon—a project where I hope I’ve captured the heartfelt essence the recipient deserves.

-Occasionally, I feel compelled to gift my work to those who have made a profound impact on my life; it is the only thing I have to offer that matches the weight of their goodness.

-Direct sales "one-on-one" continue, and those sales always bring a smile to my face knowing they "stumbled upon my work in the wild" and liked it enough to reach out.

I am not an artist looking to churn out a bunch of generic inventory or chase multiple sales. I savor what I do. I want the observer to know that I have taken the time to respect their eyes and their emotions too. Nothing is now "done in a day", everything is created with passion and consideration and profound thought.

My work at sixty is a world away from the "professional" path I started in 2014. It has matured & softened in its textures, yet the subjects have grown more dramatic—perhaps even a bit taboo or edgy. The colors are more vibrant, more expressive. If you look deep enough into each piece, I believe you will finally see ME.

I've been told some can spot a "Michelle" piece before they even see the signature. That, to me, is a great success to have achieved.