Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Wall.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My art incorporates both modern calligraphy and watercolor and my journey with each medium has been different. I have always enjoyed lovely writing. My earliest memories were when I completed an italics handwriting workbook in early elementary. I recall sitting at the oak dining room table next to my mom and marveling at how the lettering flowed so beautifully on the page. I have enjoyed writing out Scripture passages or favorite quotes that resonated with me in the many journals I filled over the years.
My sister, Liz, actually introduced me to modern calligraphy during winter break during college. She had a couple of brush pens and we did our best to recreate an example online while cozied up together. I was completely hooked. I ended up getting my own brush pens, completing various free courses and getting books to teach myself. I started to use calligraphy to add beauty to my journaling process. Modern calligraphy requires a very slow hand. In a world rushing at breakneck speeds, I have been grateful for the way this art helps slow my mind to focus on each word I write. I later branched into calligraphy using a pointed-pen, watercolor brush, and digital options as well.
My journey with watercolor was a bit different. I loved the beauty of nature and art growing up – highly influenced by artistic people in my extended family and even my dad who is a photographer. But, while I loved and did my best in every subject in school, I did not feel naturally gifted as an artist. I settled myself to enjoy other creative pursuits instead, but kept circling back to it. One Christmas, I requested a portable easel with oil, acrylic and watercolor paints. I got a book about drawing on the right side of the brain. My now husband and I went on a series of dates to a community education class my aunt taught in the Cities. But, I always felt frustrated at my lack of skill and how hard it felt and abandoned the pursuit.
Then an ad for Let’s Make Art popped up one day. I clicked on it and discovered Sarah Cray and her watercolor tutorials. I bought some cheap kid watercolors and watercolor paper and tried some tutorials. It was like the match that lit the kindling that had been slowly gathering my entire life. I learned to let go of needing it to be perfect, I learned ways to help with my difficulty drawing, and how to just enjoy creating. I’ve been grateful for a lot of other influences and support since.
I used my combination of modern calligraphy and watercolor for cards and small gifts for friends and family. Being one of seven children that has now grown to a total of forty people in my immediate family, I have had plenty of opportunities to practice.
My pastor’s wife does pottery and a few of my friends are also wonderful artists and creatives that participated in a local event called St. Cloud Maker’s Market. I had considered trying to branch out a little with my art, but was not really sure. My husband strongly encouraged me to take the leap. I reached out about participating, was accepted, and began the next steep learning curve of how to reproduce and digitize my art. I have been growing since, including recently joining my aunt, Cheryl Barr, on a collaborative project creating a book combining my modern calligraphy and simple watercolor washes and illustrations with her full watercolor paintings and short reflections.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
That first question made me laugh – it has been just about anything but smooth! I grew up watching the movie, The Sound of Music and I think of the song lyrics, “Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, ’til you find your dream.” There have been lots of metaphorical mountains, streams and rainbows along the way. I seem to overcome one challenge, and find there’s a brand new one in front of me.
The mere logistics of my life lend themselves to difficulties – fluctuating demands of three young kids making consistent art time challenging, sleep deprivation, limited time and resources to devote to both learning and growing as an artist and understanding the business aspects. Not only am I working in small margins of time and budgets, but then we live in a small physical space as well where I do my art at the kitchen counter or small desk in our bedroom. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to shuffle piles of supplies around to create space to work. Then, when I do have some spaces to work, I struggle to not feel mom guilt about taking time away and miss my kids and family time. It’s been a stretching balancing act.
Battling my own imposture syndrome and insecurity was another big hurdle for me. I never thought of myself as an artist growing up, so it was hard to even use that word to describe myself at first. One of my favorite quotes by Theodore Roosevelt is, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” A big piece has been learning to not compare my work to what others can do and just enjoy the creative process for myself. When I am at rest with that, I can let go of striving and celebrate my own work and the work of others.
Despite challenges, I have been so grateful for all of the goodness and support along the way. My husband has been amazing. I truly would not be where I am without all of his encouragement, sacrifice and support. He recently shared a video of Kara Lawson, a basketball coach, talking about not waiting for life to get easier. She said, “It will never get easier. What happens is you handle hard better.” I was really empowered by that. It’s not about waiting for a big break, perfect workspaces, or understanding everything before I start, but just taking the next step and growing through whatever lies in front of me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a modern calligrapher, watercolor and digital artist. My greatest sources of inspiration are Scripture, reading, and nature – especially snapshots from my life in Minnesota. The name Beholding Beauty Art comes from two of my favorite verses, Psalm 27:4 and 2 Corinthians 3:18, with the reminder that what we behold, we become. My hope is that my art would connect and encourage others to pause and see Him, His truth, and beauty in the midst of the busyness of life.
I love how art changes the way I see – whether it’s appreciating the various hues and color combinations of a sunset, or the tiny details in a wildflower on a walk with my kids. It gives me eyes to drink in beauty around me I would have otherwise missed. I hope that my work could bring joy and encouragement to any who come in contact with it whether in the form of a fine art print, personalized nursery art, calendar or greeting card.
What does success mean to you?
8 hours of uninterrupted sleep (just kidding!) Redeeming the time, gifts and resources I have in a way that pleases God and brings encouragement to others. It makes me so thrilled when I hear that my art has been a source of joy to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beholdingbeautyart.com
- Instagram: @beholdingbeauty_art
- Facebook: Beholding Beauty Art
Image Credits
Michelle Wall
