Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Michelle.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins very much chasing the American Dream. With my mom being an immigrant mother from Honduras doing everything in her power to make it to the United States for a better future for her kids. With that as a child, I felt there were many strings attached to that. I felt like I had to in turn chase after the way she wanted to continue her dreams, the feeling I couldn’t disappoint her after all she endured for me.
And as a typical mom, she wanted to make sure I did not follow in her footsteps. So growing up we danced around this notion of what the American Dream was. Good Grades and College Education and a Great Job. And I was pretty much failing all of them. I couldn’t understand why? At that point, art was not part of my life. It was not part of my life until many fights with my parents and mistakes later when I was in high school took an art class and it changed my life forever.
Started seeing the world in a way that made sense to me and quickly realized it wasn’t her way the American way or anyone’s way for that matter but my very own way. Art consumed me in a way that made sense but at the same time was very taboo. It was leading to a very unconventional life of struggle an artist as an entrepreneur which was not the plan my family envisioned for me. But for the first time I was succeeding in the way, I felt about myself and life. It took me a while to find my silver lining between my purpose and the purpose of what society thinks I should do.
But in turn, it leads me to have a desire to paint with emotion the empowerment that coincides with the pain. I love to paint the raw emotion all around the figure of a woman and her inner struggles. I also get inspiration from the emotions people portray through their body. And my vision keeps growing to do more with my art and have it carry a bigger purpose than just my own.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggle has always been a huge element of my life. To be completely honest it still is. I feel like most of my art runs parallel to struggle. The struggle of where you fit in and what you have to offer. I would be lying If I were to say my art journey is anywhere I would want it to be today but in turn that pushes me on a daily basis to take it there.
My desire to paint certain things is a struggle as well as my abstract work is created when my vision and hands come in disagreement and it becomes a clash of colors and emotion on a canvas.
Please tell us about Stephanie Michelle Art.
One thing I quickly realized was I wanted to paint with a purpose. I wanted to give back to what most means to me and in turn, also inspires me. I have been drawn to nature and wildlife as a child and an adult I find myself still amazed touched by it. The older I get I quickly realize my art also at times goes to painting nature as well.
So as I develop myself as an artist the more I develop my art and business. So slowly I started selling my art and prints and using the proceeds to help wildlife and ocean conservation. Then I started learning more about fast fashion and the fashion industry and decided I wanted to make a change in not just my art but a lifestyle. So currently I also started upcycling and selling used clothing as well, all in a mission to give back to the earth and oceans.
I am currently selling my art for that purpose and working on a website to merge the 2 visions and causes into one. I have big goals for my business in the works and a majority to give back to the beautiful earth we live in. I make sure my art is set apart unique and would love to take that and my love for used fashion into a non-profit business geared to ocean conservation.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Getting adopted. My mom finally remarried after being in the United States for a while and I was lucky enough to be able to be legally adopted into this family. I got an amazing dad from it along with his family. We came alone to this unknown territory and came out with an amazing family that I found my strength in them. They are the little bit of pieces of the artist I am made out of today.
Contact Info:
- Website: stephaniemichelleart.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemichelleart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemichelleartist/
Image Credit:
Andrew Kanei
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