Michelle’s Mask Off Series.
Michelle and I connected in 2018 through art therapy supervision and have remained connected through our mutual interest in sharing creative professional development learning and resources. Michelle is a recent graduate with a Masters in Counselling and Art Therapy from the University of Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Before becoming an Art therapist Michelle taught art to children in grades K-12. Michelle loves to create in oil paints and acrylics. Thank you for sharing your story Michelle!
Michelle’s Story:
Michelle’s Masks Off series is my personal response to COVID-19. I am looking forward to removing my mask from my daily life activities.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Family Paint Nights.
All during Corona and lockdowns I felt the need to create art with my family to help us all express our experiences. We have created several works of art to help process what is happening in our daily lives; whether it is work or school or just being stuck at home. Using recycled bottles and acrylic paints, everybody created their unique works. I have four children who are ages 27 years old to 18 years old.
My Multi-Media Approach.
I printed my bottle and then added plaster masks, which were actual molds of my own face. The final step was an acrylic pour over the masks and print. Some of the masks I created also have lip stick shavings on them. I enjoy recycling my lipstick shavings and incorporating it into my artwork..
Acrylic Pour Series.
I am still working through COVID and all the restrictions. Hope has inspired me to believe that our masks will come off soon. Because I work in Long Term Care homes, I have been very limited in starting my new career. Frustration plays a huge role in my work. Acrylic pours limit your control, similar to how limited we are in life right now.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”