Some of my created work from the workshop.

As an artist, I spend a lot of time alone in my studio and in my head. That solitude is part of the work, and quite honestly, a part of the work that I really enjoy. It’s in the silence where my ideas start to take shape and where things get quiet enough for me to notice what’s actually there and what’s trying to come through in my art. It’s also a rather meditative process for me. Many artists probably know this feeling.

But working solo can sometimes feel isolating too, like being the lone ranger on your own little island. I also know there’s something pretty magical and synergetic about being around other creatives and artists that I find deeply inspiring. Every once in a while it’s good for me to step outside of my own creative world and into someone else’s.

This week I spent some time in Tennessee at an art workshop with an artist I admire, Jeanne Oliver. I was surrounded by other incredible women, artists and creatives from all over the United States who had each come for their own reasons. Many were there to experiment, some making time to unearth or nurture a part of themselves that had been hidden or on pause, some just beginning to explore what creativity might look like for them, and others stepping into entirely new chapters of their lives. For me, I was there to nurture my own creative voice through learning, playing and experimenting.

The workshop space upstairs at DeAnn Art Gallery, Franklin, TN

There’s something interesting that happens when I’m in a room like this. I start to notice how differently people approach the same materials, the same prompts, the same blank sheet of paper. One person jumps right in while another sits for a while before touching anything. Some people layer and build while others keep things simple and sparse. No two approaches look the same, which I honestly love. Even though we were all working from the same instructions, everyone brought their own perspective, instincts and life experience to the page. It’s a reminder that there are a thousand ways to make something, and that the way I do it is simply one path among many.

At one point I looked around the room and saw tables upon tables covered with paint, paper, brushes, scissors and art supplies everywhere. It honestly felt a little like being a kid in a candy store. And yes, art supplies really get me excited.

Table set-up with beautifully curated art supplies for each attendee.

I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner, not just in art but in life. There’s something invigorating about putting myself back in the position of student with a teacher. Watching someone else’s process, trying things that might not come naturally or simply allowing myself the space to explore without worrying too much about the outcome. Sometimes that loosens something I didn’t even realize had tightened. Maybe it’s a grip I’ve developed around my own work or a creative rut I hadn’t fully acknowledged.

I’ve come to think that stepping away from my own work is often exactly what allows me to see it differently when I return. When I go back into my studio after experiences like this, I often notice new ideas quietly making their way into my work, sometimes in unexpected ways. That’s often how new pieces begin for me, small ideas that slowly show up in my work over time.

Being around other artists also reminds me that creativity isn’t really a solitary language, even though the making often is. There’s a shared understanding in a room like the one I spent two days in. Everyone following their own thread and their own creative expression, but somehow still doing it together in community. We ended the workshop by sharing some of our pieces and reflecting on what we gained from the experience and hearing everyone’s takeaways was just as meaningful as the time spent creating.

I left Tennessee heading back to North Carolina feeling full. Inspired, stretched in a good way and grateful for the chance to learn from someone else’s perspective. I also had the privilege of meeting some really wonderful women and making a few new creative friends along the way, which felt like a gift in itself.

I shared a table with Gaylyn, Andrea and Lindsay. We’re pictured here with Jeanne.

The experience also left me feeling reflective. It’s pretty easy for me to stay in my own lane, in my own box, in my own studio, especially once I get back home and return to my day to day life and routine. But for me to continue to grow in my art practice, it’s necessary for me to step outside of that little bubble every once in a while. There’s always more to learn, interesting people to meet and inspiration waiting somewhere I didn’t expect it. Who doesn’t need to switch things up and gain a different perspective from time to time?

And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that feeding and nurturing my creativity is something I’ll never regret. In fact, I enjoyed this experience so much I may be interested in becoming a professional workshop attendee if anyone happens to be hiring for that role.

xx,

Michel

STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR CREATIVE BOX.

WEEK IN IMAGES | FIELD NOTES.