‘Mystical Artist’ Paints
from the Soul, for the Soul

A Conversation With Michelle Oravitz,
Translating a World Beyond the Senses

Since discovering the work of Miami-based artist Michelle Oravitz a few weeks ago, I’ve been captivated—regularly revisiting the images as I search for the right words to accurately assess it, without understating its brilliance while avoiding the trap of hyperbolic adjectives. The former has proven far easier than the latter.

Her paintings transcend typical classification, managing to touch opposite ends of the creative and emotive spectrum in each of her pieces: free-flowing yet intricate, stirring yet serene, at once personal and universal, spiritual yet sensual, trance-inducing and thought-provoking. Her fusion of potentially inharmonious colors—bright and intense warms playing off vibrant and soothing cools—triggers an electric dance on the surface of the canvas, revealing a multidimensional world akin to one experienced by the meditative mind.

In an effort to capture the essence of Michelle’s creations, one word, alas, best applies: captivating. As the welcome screen of her Web site accurately proclaims, “When Colors Dream, Eyes Listen.”

And while the Internet plays an increasingly important role for artists, expanding exponentially opportunities for exposure, the true power of Michelle’s paintings—like most—is fully realized on the wall, not the computer screen (as my wife and I can now attest).

The 35-year-old mother of two, yoga instructor and independent artist—featured last month in Yoga Magazine—draws on her personal experiences practicing yoga and meditation, channeling those peaceful vibrations into dreamlike images on canvas. Her work elicits no immediate or obvious comparisons to more well-known, influential artists; her style is all her own. One of her pieces appears in the film “The Unborn,” others on album covers and in books. She has also been invited to the prestigious Biennale Internazionale dell’Arte Contemporanea, an international juried exhibition in Florence next December.

Michelle recently took time to discuss her work and her creative process, where she turns to for inspiration, what role art plays in her life, how she would advise aspiring artists, and much more with The Madness of Art.

MOA: When did you first realize you were an artist?

MICHELLE: I would say that I loved drawing and coloring before I knew to call it art. My mom says that she used to bribe me with a coloring book to get me to eat when I was 4 years old and that I received a lot of notes from my art teacher in elementary school saying that she thought that I had a gift in the arts. So I just did what I found enjoyable growing up, and around middle school I was promoted to high-school-level art. That’s when I thought, “I guess I’m an artist.”

MOA: You left a job as an architect to pursue painting full-time. The risks of doing so, some might say, are high—not the least of which being the forfeiture of a regular paycheck for, well, the unknown. Was that a difficult decision to make? What, in the end, inspired you to take the leap?

MICHELLE: Actually, not really. I wish I can say that I am that courageous, but it didn’t quite happen that way! It’s true that I wasn’t happy going to work when I worked in the architecture field. When my husband finished his residency in New York, we moved to Florida, where I studied ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine) for two years and yoga. I then got pregnant mid-way and was able to practice for a little while, teaching yoga and giving a few workshops—and then came my beautiful Sage, my firstborn.

After a few months I started to paint again for something to do, and my friend told me she sold some things on eBay; I thought, “Why not sell some of my work?” And that’s how it happened.

I have to say I owe it all to my husband Peter; he is my biggest supporter and my best friend in the world! He is the reason I am able to do this without struggling like many artists out there. And he also helps me with giving me ideas and critiquing my work when I need a second pair of eyes.

MOA: What are the rewards and difficulties of life as a professional artist?

MICHELLE: The rewards are simply doing what I love—being myself and having that be my work kind of cancels out the word “work.” I feel like I am doing what I was born to do, and that is the most rewarding feeling. I also get to inspire people in a way that goes beyond words into symbols, colors, emotion. I love it when people feel “moved,” and I am lucky enough to be a part of that.

One of the biggest challenges is to paint just to paint. Once money comes into the picture, the thoughts creep in: Will this painting be a hit?, blah, blah. And I owe it to my meditation practice for my thought-awareness so I can recognize those thoughts for what they are. But anytime you are sharing your work which you put your soul into, you open yourself to being vulnerable. It’s also tough because you don’t make anything at first, so it’s like giving away your gems for free—and actually paying to do that in the beginning! So I would say that this challenge also turns into a reward in the way that it teaches me to truly do it for the love of it and not think about the money. I was forced to do that at first, and it taught me non-attachment. I often think of the Tibetans who paint mandalas with sand, only to destroy their art by blowing the sand in the end—practicing non-attachment and symbolizing impermanence.

MOA: You are an Ayurvedic practitioner and a yoga teacher. How does your spirituality inform your work, and vice versa?

My art is a feeling.

MICHELLE: My art is a feeling. I started painting women because it connected me to a healing feminine energy; it gave me a feeling of strength. There is something soothing to my painting, and I also feel the need to express this peace. My ‘women’ tend to have their eyes closed a lot, but many of the paintings have a symbol of the third eye—showing that there is awareness to the light within, there is meditation, there is peace. I have grown up struggling with the craziness of this world; my soul always craved peace, and painting these images gives me a similar feeling to practicing yoga and meditation. Also, meditating and yoga move me deeper into my art so I see it as a woven fabric where all the facets that draw me to them are the threads.

MOA: Do you work on a regular schedule or whenever the muse happens to appear?

MICHELLE: I work whenever I can! Between my two girls, I don’t always have the time. I usually set Tuesday and Thursday aside for work when I have a babysitter come and some nights when my husband works overnight.

MOA: Where do you paint? Do you listen to music when you’re painting, and if so, what?

MICHELLE: I paint in my kitchen. I organized my art supplies in bins and drawers so that they are easy to clean up. We have a small space, but I actually like it and find it comfy. I like to listen to Tori Amos, Evanescence, Coldplay, Cranberries—café-type music from XM radio. A lot of times I will also listen to audio books since I don’t always have time to read, which is another favorite hobby of mine.

MOA: Describe the genesis of your paintings: How do you come up with ideas? Do your paintings start with just a basic, general idea that develops as you work or do you see more fully formed concepts before you begin? Do you ever struggle to come up with a new idea? What sparks your creative fire?

Seeing the big picture

MICHELLE: I never plan anything—I feel like when I do it becomes rigid and takes away from whatever wants to channel from me. So in a way I try to remove myself (my mind) as much as possible and allow it to become what it wants to be. I start out taking a few paints and just smearing all over the canvas for a background. And then I move back and start to see a figure or where a face could fit in and that’s when I have to move quickly before it disappears. Sometimes it doesn’t happen that way, and I struggle and hate it and want to tear it apart. But I stop myself and say “OK, we’ve encountered something deep here, take a breath.” And then I accept and make friends with it, and the course changes to a more positive one. When those ones are done, it’s hard to believe I hated them at one point. That process is almost identical to what happens during some of my meditations.

MOA: How long does it take to complete one of your paintings? Do some come easier than others? How do you deal with and overcome any creative blocks?

MICHELLE: I guess I just answered overcoming creative blocks in the last question! Sometimes if I can’t continue, then I just leave it for a while and come back again. Some paintings take me a few hours and some a few days. Most of them move pretty quickly though.

MOA: You have a quote on your blog that addresses an issue every artist—painter, writer, musician—deals with on a recurring basis: questioning whether his or her art is any good, or convincing himself or herself that it isn’t. Do you ever experience this? How does the Berthold Auerbach quote (“The little dissatisfaction which every artist feels at the completion of a work forms the germ of a new work.”) reflect your own philosophy?

MICHELLE: Great question! I’m not always dissatisfied at the completion of my work, but I do question if my art is any good sometimes. Making a living as an artist is a challenge—sometimes you don’t receive the price you think you deserve and sometimes I question if the quality of my work is good enough. Then I have my husband and family supporting me, but it’s still hard to truly see yourself or your art as it is, so it’s easy to fall into doubt and uncertainty with creating.

But in general, and not just in my art, I always feel like there is more I can do, more I can achieve. As much as I have reached a lot of my potential, it can never be fully reached, so I always strive for more. To learn more, challenge myself more, be closer to my true self—through art, through expression, through life.

MOA: Much of your work seems to feature two main components—the presence of a woman surrounded by vibrant, whimsical colors. How would you describe your style, and what do you hope people will see in your art and take away with them?

MICHELLE: I would like to describe my style as magical/surreal/dreamy. That is how I see it. I would like to connect people to a world beyond our senses. I feel that something else exists outside of what we are accustomed to seeing; I personally feel it, so I want to translate it in the best form that I can.

MOA: Who are your favorite artists? Do any particular painters, writers, musicians, filmmakers inspire and/or influence you and your work?

MICHELLE: I love Tori Amos—I really connect with her style. She works through a feminine mystique that intrigues me, and I feel like I connect to it in a visual way. I also love Sia, Coldplay—soothing artists mostly. I love music and I really appreciate artists that are able to make their sound multi-dimensional, many layers—almost visual. My goal in a similar way is for my art to have movement.

As far as visual artists, I’m funny in the way that I don’t study many—maybe I should. The ones who have intrigued me so far are Leonardo da Vinci; he just seems like a really interesting person beyond just the art. I love his philosophy and the fact that he used both sides of his brain. I think he was ahead of his time. I also love Salvador Dali—he taps into a magic that really inspires me. These are artists that I admire, but I don’t necessary create works based on other visual artists, though when I listen to music I feel that it inspires my work more.

Forget the goal,
enjoy the journey.

There are many writers that inspired me in my quest to better myself and my expression. I’m a total self-help junky! I LOVE the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. This book is the core of what I believe: that every person was born to create. If you look at kids, they’re always creating naturally. Then we get older and somehow think that it’s not for us anymore. I am also really influenced by the books of Eckhart Tolle: he is one of the few enlightened beings in our world today who talks about being totally present in whatever you do. This has inspired me to be conscious of being fully engaged with my painting—enjoying the journey and forgetting about the ‘goal’ of a completed painting.

MOA: How has the Internet—especially sites like eBay, Etsy, and Boundless Gallery—changed the possibilities for independent artists like yourself, not only to earn a living but also in terms of exposure?

MICHELLE: Yes! It gives an artist the ability to be their own boss and not need to depend only on galleries. The Internet alone is free advertising; it’s great. Some of these sites can be expensive to list, but the price beats owning a store and paying rent! There is a freedom that the Internet gives artists and so many opportunities to sign up for contests, etc.

My works got the attention of a few authors and a set designer of the new movie “The Unborn,” which my art is featured in—all from being on the Internet! I don’t know that I would have these opportunities as an artist at an earlier time in history.

MOA: What advice do you have for artists just starting out (and for those who are thinking about pursuing their art full-time)?

MICHELLE: You need to know what you are getting into. If you really want it, do it! But know that you are not just going to be “discovered”—no matter who you are. Many artists think that if they aren’t discovered or don’t win a contest or sell right away that they don’t have what it takes. So not true!

If you really want it, do it!

My husband gave me this advice when I first started out and was getting discouraged from not getting bids on eBay. He reminded me of the true-Hollywood stories that ALWAYS start out with movies flopping or artists getting rejected! I also saw interviews of successful people and they all say that the difference from the ones who succeed and the ones who fail is that the ones who succeed learn to get used to failure. It’s about going for the love of what you do and keeping at it no matter what.

I would say that whoever really wants to make a living as who they are naturally (artist, writer, business person), give it at least 3 to 4 years before deciding if it is worth it or not. I could keep going, but it would take all day to write AND read!

MOA: What does art mean to you?

Art is the reflection
of the soul.

MICHELLE: Art is the reflection of the soul. It’s an expression just like speaking but using different languages (music, visual mediums, sculpture, and the list goes on). I think where language is limited, art takes over and is able to speak to people in ways beyond the conscious mind. This is where the spirit world connects to us in a dimension we are not normally conscious of—that is subtle yet powerful, moving us and healing us in ways we have yet to grasp and label. It’s something that people have tried to label (critics, reviewers, etc.) but have not been able to touch the mysterious spark that occurs between the viewer and the art.

MICHELLE ORAVITZ ON THE WEB
Mystical Artist
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Etsy