Interview with Artist Michelle Masters, Creator of Topiary-Themed Art
It is really interesting to learn where artists find inspiration and how they develop their unique styles. Artist Michelle Masters of Michelle Masters Studio paints the most delightful little masterpieces in the shapes of topiaries. Yes, topiaries! Michelle recently shared a few details about her idyllic life.
What inspired you to start using topiaries as the theme for your artwork?
I have always been an avid gardener. I love garden structure and English cottage gardens. One summer as I was painting to prepare for an upcoming art festival I found myself reading more about gardens and topiaries. One charming book I remember was called “In and Out of the Garden", by Sara Midda. Just for fun, probably to distract me from the painting I “should” have been doing, I started doodling little topiary designs of things that interested me that were not traditional, the first one being the hat design called "Lady Lavender". I still use this design as my company logo.
While it is evident that nature inspires your art, where do you find inspiration for determining the shapes of the topiaries you paint?
I literally find it all around me. The first series of designs that I created were hats as mentioned above. The other two designs in the series were named after my grandmothers to honor them- Shirley's Tulip Chapeau and Virge's Pansy Bonnet. Animals are often featured in my work- we live on a farm and have quite a few of them. I get excited about creating an image that people have not seen before that requires a second look. I want them to be sweet, beautiful and clever. A number of years ago I was asked to do a children's series for a retail chain. The project resulted in the Dancing Elephant, Jumping Rabbit and Juggling Bear Topiaries.
Because topiaries are really just sculptural shapes...anything can be a topiary on paper. The charm of the design comes in the details- the angle of the design, how the pot is embellished and the fun stuff like flowers, bugs, butterflies and ribbons to dress it up.
I describe your style as uncluttered and traditional, with a bit of whimsy. How do you describe your style?
Simple and artful with a contemporary twist of humor and style.
What media do you use to create your original artwork?
Primarily Winsor & Newton artist watercolors and graphite on Fabriano 140lb. watercolor paper.
Describe a typical work day.
An interesting question... first, get my 7-year-old on the bus, then feed the horses at the barn. Since my studio is based in my home I then try to find something to keep my 4-year-old entertained while I do necessary paperwork, research designs, and send out requested catalogs. Before lunch I try to work on orders... with the occasional interruption of various Play-Doh technics and Polly Pocket dramas. Since it is finally summer in upstate New York I may venture out to see the delivery man and get distracted by a few weeds that need to be pulled or seeds that need to be watered.
While my daughter is at afternoon preschool I make all of my calls and try to focus on my creative work as much as possible. I'm in an endless state of wonderful frustration...trying to balance home-life and work. It is very challenging. A very organic process and I try to be flexible and open. I don't want to miss any of life's blessings... at work or home.
What is the most difficult part of your business?
See above!... and the paperwork and administrative aspects, I prefer not to manage people but if I don't have help then the growth of my business will be limited. I wish I could just focus more on the art/design instead of the billing/ordering. I will say though that part of the staying power of my business is that I have been content staying relatively small and not overcommitting myself.
What is the best part of your business?
Besides the creative process and being able to be with my children when they were tiny...it would have to be meeting people and seeing/hearing their reaction to my work. I have recently begun a collection called "Hedges & Hares" featuring these cute pear shaped bunnies with topiary and/or hedges. I tested out the images at the Philadelphia Flower Show in March and I was so touched by people's responses. One woman in my booth said "You must have had a wonderful childhood!". Another customer was a gentleman from the DC area who purchased 4 large prints of the series just because they made him feel happy. I was so appreciative and humbled.
Another aspect that I love is that I’ve been able to provide work to several stay-at-home Moms and retirees in my community. I don’t usually need full-time help, but being able to help other people achieve their goals in even a little way is very rewarding.
Does your love for plants extend beyond painting? Do you garden?
Oh yes! I would rather have a new plant than a new pair of shoes! Its an obsession that I inherited from my mother. I have slowly been installing gardens around our home. I've expanded my vegetable garden into a french potager this year. (A french potager is a kitchen garden that intermingles flowers, herbs and vegetables. Often it is designed using geometric shaped beds that create interesting patterns when planted.) It’s what happens when I'm left alone with gigantic pile of soil and a Bobcat Skid-Steer. It was like painting/sculpting with soil.
I hope to one day create in live topiary all of the farm animals that I would like around my studio. I picture a grouping of 3 sheep grazing in side field. So far we have Henrietta the Hen, Rooco the Rooster and Maurice and Geraldine the Ducks in boxwood topiary.
What is next for Michelle Masters Studio?
I have recently partnered with another woman-owned business to create beautiful handmade soaps for all occasions. My artwork is a great fit for the product and I sold out of them at the Philadelphia Flower Show... a good sign.
Also, we have a major website redesign coming up this summer that I am very excited about that will include a blog featuring articles on gardening, topiary, recipes, entertaining, design and lots more!
Name 3 blogs that you just love.
Velveteen Mind
The Noble Pig
Bumblebee Blog
Check out Michelle's full line at Michelle Masters Studio .
What inspired you to start using topiaries as the theme for your artwork? I have always been an avid gardener. I love garden structure and English cottage gardens. One summer as I was painting to prepare for an upcoming art festival I found myself reading more about gardens and topiaries. One charming book I remember was called “In and Out of the Garden", by Sara Midda. Just for fun, probably to distract me from the painting I “should” have been doing, I started doodling little topiary designs of things that interested me that were not traditional, the first one being the hat design called "Lady Lavender". I still use this design as my company logo.
While it is evident that nature inspires your art, where do you find inspiration for determining the shapes of the topiaries you paint?
I literally find it all around me. The first series of designs that I created were hats as mentioned above. The other two designs in the series were named after my grandmothers to honor them- Shirley's Tulip Chapeau and Virge's Pansy Bonnet. Animals are often featured in my work- we live on a farm and have quite a few of them. I get excited about creating an image that people have not seen before that requires a second look. I want them to be sweet, beautiful and clever. A number of years ago I was asked to do a children's series for a retail chain. The project resulted in the Dancing Elephant, Jumping Rabbit and Juggling Bear Topiaries.
Because topiaries are really just sculptural shapes...anything can be a topiary on paper. The charm of the design comes in the details- the angle of the design, how the pot is embellished and the fun stuff like flowers, bugs, butterflies and ribbons to dress it up.
I describe your style as uncluttered and traditional, with a bit of whimsy. How do you describe your style?
Simple and artful with a contemporary twist of humor and style.
What media do you use to create your original artwork?
Primarily Winsor & Newton artist watercolors and graphite on Fabriano 140lb. watercolor paper.
Describe a typical work day.
An interesting question... first, get my 7-year-old on the bus, then feed the horses at the barn. Since my studio is based in my home I then try to find something to keep my 4-year-old entertained while I do necessary paperwork, research designs, and send out requested catalogs. Before lunch I try to work on orders... with the occasional interruption of various Play-Doh technics and Polly Pocket dramas. Since it is finally summer in upstate New York I may venture out to see the delivery man and get distracted by a few weeds that need to be pulled or seeds that need to be watered.
While my daughter is at afternoon preschool I make all of my calls and try to focus on my creative work as much as possible. I'm in an endless state of wonderful frustration...trying to balance home-life and work. It is very challenging. A very organic process and I try to be flexible and open. I don't want to miss any of life's blessings... at work or home.
What is the most difficult part of your business?
See above!... and the paperwork and administrative aspects, I prefer not to manage people but if I don't have help then the growth of my business will be limited. I wish I could just focus more on the art/design instead of the billing/ordering. I will say though that part of the staying power of my business is that I have been content staying relatively small and not overcommitting myself.
What is the best part of your business?
Besides the creative process and being able to be with my children when they were tiny...it would have to be meeting people and seeing/hearing their reaction to my work. I have recently begun a collection called "Hedges & Hares" featuring these cute pear shaped bunnies with topiary and/or hedges. I tested out the images at the Philadelphia Flower Show in March and I was so touched by people's responses. One woman in my booth said "You must have had a wonderful childhood!". Another customer was a gentleman from the DC area who purchased 4 large prints of the series just because they made him feel happy. I was so appreciative and humbled.
Another aspect that I love is that I’ve been able to provide work to several stay-at-home Moms and retirees in my community. I don’t usually need full-time help, but being able to help other people achieve their goals in even a little way is very rewarding.
Does your love for plants extend beyond painting? Do you garden?
Oh yes! I would rather have a new plant than a new pair of shoes! Its an obsession that I inherited from my mother. I have slowly been installing gardens around our home. I've expanded my vegetable garden into a french potager this year. (A french potager is a kitchen garden that intermingles flowers, herbs and vegetables. Often it is designed using geometric shaped beds that create interesting patterns when planted.) It’s what happens when I'm left alone with gigantic pile of soil and a Bobcat Skid-Steer. It was like painting/sculpting with soil.
I hope to one day create in live topiary all of the farm animals that I would like around my studio. I picture a grouping of 3 sheep grazing in side field. So far we have Henrietta the Hen, Rooco the Rooster and Maurice and Geraldine the Ducks in boxwood topiary.
What is next for Michelle Masters Studio?
I have recently partnered with another woman-owned business to create beautiful handmade soaps for all occasions. My artwork is a great fit for the product and I sold out of them at the Philadelphia Flower Show... a good sign.
Also, we have a major website redesign coming up this summer that I am very excited about that will include a blog featuring articles on gardening, topiary, recipes, entertaining, design and lots more!
Name 3 blogs that you just love.
Velveteen Mind
The Noble Pig
Bumblebee Blog
Check out Michelle's full line at Michelle Masters Studio .
Labels: artist, greeting cards, Michelle Masters, note cards, stationery, thank you, topiary
posted by StaceyMDesign at Friday, June 05, 2009
4 comments
