Remember Artist Michelle Tanguay from last post? Like I mentioned before, she’s made a cozy home for herself in Detroit and established herself as painter. Take a look around the rest of her gorgeous studio space. Note all of the tremendous pieces she has hanging about. Don’t you love the way Michelle sees the world through a technicolor lens?
Michelle is wearing: Clarksburg Sweatshirt & 1889 Double Front Dungaree.
Artist Michelle Tanguay is crazy talented. She’s been in the art world since age 17, when she moved to Detroit on her own to pursue her talents. Day in and day out, she made art. As she painted, opportunities began to flow in. Now she is an established artist with an undeniable gift.
Take a closer look at the series of faces above. Each one is a Detroit native who wandered into her studio. They are all painted on up-cycled banners from the city’s Jazz Festival. Michelle composed over 40 portraits as an homage to the great community she’s grown to love.
“People inspire me, Detroit inspires me. People from Detroit inspire me, they have a fight in them like no one else does.” —Michelle Tanguay
Michelle is wearing: Clarksburg Sweatshirt & 1889 Double Front Dungaree.
The Brewster Denim Jacket: Detroit artist Kate Silvio pictured above. Read more about her and her remarkable metalwork here.
Ceramic artist Elysia Vandenbussche Kelly’s sporting the Hybrid Camo Printed Printed Vest around her Detroit work space. It’s great for a chilly morning at the studio. You keep warm while maintaining a great range of motion so that there’s not a shelf you can’t reach or bucket you can’t lift.
Expression through a nice lump of clay rolling around in your hands, cool and malleable to the touch, seems quite romantic—enough to sweep you away into an artistic frenzy. Your clothing would be ever sprinkled in bits of dust and smudges of slip. Few may know the amount of labor that goes into each piece of handmade ceramics. It’s not all carefree and straightforward. It’s the kind of work that continually breaks a sweat and demands your dirty sleeves be rolled up to accommodate.
In the photos below, you’re getting a peek into Elysia Vandenbussche Kelly’s studio, ElysiaVK. It’s an inspiring spot, even more so when she’s hard a work. Although Elysia may make it appear effortless, she’s accomplished a heck of a lot. She’s set up shop in downtown Detroit and keeps the art work flowing from her personal kiln. Her advice for any other young women hoping to follow in a similar path is:
“Work hard, but don’t hold what you do too tightly. Be open to change and evolving. Embrace your failures, it’s an opportunity to grow. If you’re scared, keep going. There’s no guidebook, so make choices that work for you, not what you think you should be or what’s accepted. Take a risk, but if something isn’t working remember whatever you’re doing is not worth your happiness.” —ElysiaVK
Elysia is wearing: Force Performance Quarter Zip & Series 1889 Double Front Dungarees.
As all women in woodworking know, you have to be tough as nails on the job. In a male dominated field, often perceived as being pumped full of testosterone and heavy lifting, thick skin is a prerequisite. Just ask San Francisco artist, Aleksandra Zee.
A layer of saw dust coating every article of her life is a permanent reminder of her hard work, and is proudly worn as a badge of artistic authority. To get lost in a world of passion and ambition is something most strive for in this world. Zee has found just that.
“Time vanishes when I am in the studio; it’s the greatest.” —Aleksandra Zee
Earthy tones and pattern play dance from one corner to another on each of her stunning pieces. Comprised of reclaimed materials, Zee uses laths of wood to paint a picture of geometric goodness. Her distinct style is brilliant and bold: a focal point in a room and a dream of a Native American textile.
Zee’s must-have items in her creative day-to-day routine are a nail gun and a great pair of overalls. In the photos above we get a closer look into her creative process. Follow along and see what you can concoct.
Keep up with Zee’s creative musings on instagram. You’ll be glad you did.
Crafted in Carhartt 