Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle D. Ferrera-Lubin.
Michelle D., we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been creating in some sort of way since childhood, Writing was my first outlet. I continue to fill up notebooks and journals. As a kid I thought I’d be a cartoonist. I dabbled in art of all kinds during high-school and college (painting murals, some graphic design, Wedding & School Photography) but it was my first Life Drawing class that hooked me on capturing the story behind the figure. I began experimenting with acrylics and mixed media, loving the combination of things. Even though I had a full-time job, and did custom art on the side, late night Art filled my journals. Before I moved West is when my head and words became too loud for paper, leading me to work on wood. The unique grains, the rough wood edges of panel scraps drew me in and echoed how I felt. Drawing felt more bare and basic.
That first series on wood made me realize how much I needed Art in my life and though that meant navigating the unknown and baring vulnerabilities, I found release and strength with each creation, helping to balance the demons, life’s daily routines and a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The downsizing of the company I worked for at the time, lit the fire. With support from family and friends, I moved and drove West with not a clue. Initially I spent any money I had on gas driving to LA galleries, making a fool of myself, and tons of mistakes, but it was an education and eye opening. I met incredible female artists that became mentors to me, I learned how needed art is within the community, and during that time I met my now husband. I swear, on my 30th birthday, I looked up, saw a shooting star and asked, “I’m ready, and I want it all”. The stars definitely aligned. The move to San Diego and the warm welcome from the art community really allowed me and my art to bloom. I still feel funny calling myself an Artist, but love that I can continue to see where it takes me, my sparkly husband and inspiring baby girl!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
To me creating is the art of releasing. The process, our therapist. The wood I draw on serves as a mirror to the journal entries that fuel the figurative themes and subject matter of my series. While I’m constantly learning and experimenting, it’s drawing freehand with a basic pencil that allows me the freedom to create vulnerable poses and moments, finding strength and confidence. I understand we can’t control how/what people perceive our work as Artists, but what I can only hope is that through my work, viewers might see themselves. Maybe they remember feeling that way, see someone they know, want to celebrate their own beauty? I’m fortunate to be able to see, being able to capture moments in my life (good and bad), and sharing it is how we learn and grow. I just want to continue to be able to create and meet beautiful creatures that might allow me to capture a moment of theirs 😉
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think most of us struggle to find balancing our wanting to create with our everyday responsibilities. Bills still have to get paid, we might have a toddler taking our good art supplies or not wanting to nap, leaving no time to create. We also have to be our own time manager, business mogul, advertiser, networker, etc. I think when we create and understand what our overall goals are, know when to say no (I’m finally learning this, thanks to being an overtired momma), knowing when to say yes and pay that big submission fee or submit even after being rejected 4 years in a row! Being an artist requires thick skin, taking things with a grain of salt, understanding the difference between critique and opinion. It’s a constant challenge and uncharted for every individual path but incredibly rewarding when you make that sale, or get in to that show, or have a fellow artist give a pat on the back, or have a young woman say, damn I feel the strength in that piece….I wouldn’t trade this life one bit!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
This year I was so humbled to be among The Studio Door’s “50 To Watch”. The exhibition has ended but the publication is available through the gallery. Sparks Gallery in the Gaslamp has a collection of my work available through their online gallery. My website has images of finished works, a listing of my self-published books, bio/cv, calendar of upcoming exhibitions, workshops and more: www.MDFerrera.com. I post process, works in progress and images of artwork on my Instagram: @mdferrera, twitter: @mdferrerafineart, Facebook: mdferrera. Best way to support, if you can’t purchase or request custom work, share and re-share 😉
Contact Info:
- Address: Imperial Beach, CA
- Website: http://www.mdferrera.com/
- Phone: 973-519-3083
- Email: mflife9@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdferrera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDFerrera-113030962045120/
Image Credit:
Michelle D. Ferrera-Lubin
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