Meet Michel Van Devender | Artist + Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michel Van Devender and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michel, why did you pursue a creative career?
I never set out with a plan for an artistic or creative career. Each chapter of my life taught me something I needed to learn and brought me to where I am now. Art and creativity have always been part of who I am though. I was a creative kid, and I come from a family of artists, makers, builders, and artisans. It is in my blood. Even in my more left-brained roles, I approached the work with vision and feeling, coloring outside the lines and thinking beyond the box.

My path has included careers as a therapist, mediator, and interior designer. These experiences have shaped how I see and connect with the world. I have always been drawn to the emotional undercurrents, the human experience, and the deeper layers of people and life. Helping others make sense of their inner worlds has continued to feel meaningful, knowing that this kind of work often creates space for more growth, connection, and fulfillment.

Art and words have become another way for me to give form to what often lives beneath the surface. It is a way of being, of expressing, of staying present, and of working through my own inner world. Art feels like both a mirror and a bridge, showing me to myself and allowing space for real connection with others.

Creating is how I stay connected to joy and the present moment. It is how I slow down, quiet the noise, and get out of my head. I create out of a love for the process, the beauty of experimenting, and the simple act of making something with my hands. It is where I feel most like myself — curious, grounded, wild, and free. My hope is that others might recognize a piece of themselves in the work and feel inspired to express themselves creatively too.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Art, for me, is a conversation between materials, between inner and outer worlds, between what is felt and what is seen. I am mostly a self taught artist and do not always know the art rules, but honestly, I do not mind. My process is rooted in exploration. I like to play and experiment, allowing the work to unfold as I follow my curiosity. In many ways, it feels like my own version of art school. I work intuitively, using mixed media, often in black, white, and other neutrals. It is how I process what I am holding inside, this ongoing conversation between my inner child and inner critic.

What sets my work apart is how I approach both process and purpose. I create from a place of emotional honesty and intuition, rather than a need for perfection or a polished outcome, which has required its own inner work. My creative practice blends visual art, writing, and wearable pieces, allowing different disciplines to inform one another. Each piece is layered and personal, but leaves space for the viewer’s own experience.

Getting your work and voice into the world comes with its own challenges. Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. Balancing family life with creating and growing a business is not always easy. Some days the creative flow comes naturally, and others feel like a learning curve. I do not love the back end of running a small business, the website, accounting, shipping, and everything in between. I try to keep a long view and focus on moving things forward. I am always learning and evolving. It is all a work in progress, right?

Lately, I am most excited about how my visual work, writing, and wearable pieces are coming together, and how my previous careers continue to inform my creative work in more intentional ways. The through line is emotional honesty, curiosity, and creative freedom. I have learned that growth is not always visible, that following your own path matters more than rushing to fit in, and that staying close to what feels aligned is its own kind of success. At its core, my brand is about honoring the space where beauty, meaning, and self expression live inside what is unfinished and imperfect, and inviting others to find their own version of that along the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay, I have a little confession to make. I am more of an introvert and a homebody, so I am not always out and about or part of the “seen and scene” in Charlotte. When I am not traveling, you will usually find me spending time with my family or close friends. If my best friend comes to visit, she already knows this about me, so there is absolutely no pressure, thankfully. The way we spend the week is never about checking off a long list, but more about meaningful connection, sharing the places, spaces, and people that inspire me most. A kind of behind the scenes, personal version of Charlotte, with a pace that feels relaxed, filled with conversation, creativity, and a little spontaneity.

We would kick things off with a little day trip I frequently make to Concord, my hometown just north of Charlotte. And if you happen to be an Avett Brothers fan (as I am), yes, they’re from Concord too. First stop would be my favorite coffee shop, Mattie Ruth’s Coffee House, owned and operated by my twenty-two year old niece, Mattie McClamrock. The drive is always worth it for the iced almond milk latte, perfectly flaky croissant, warm welcoming atmosphere, and great conversation. Afterwards, we would head right across the street to The Depot at Gibson Mill for some antique and vintage treasure hunting. I am always on the lookout for interesting pieces I can use in my home or collage artwork.

While in Concord, we might also visit Studio Print Shop, the screen printing and custom apparel business co-owned by my brother, Curtis McClamrock, and his childhood best friend, Rodney Smith. If we are lucky, I might even talk them into letting us create and screen print a custom t-shirt design, but let’s keep that between us. Our friend, fashion designer Michael Alexander, known to most as MAJR, might stop by to join in on the fun too. Before we know it, the creative energy is flowing, ideas are flying, designs are made, and it is time to head back to Charlotte for a little downtime spent by the pool or curled up on the sofa, catching up.

On another morning, we would likely start closer to home with a walk to Night Swim Coffee, our neighborhood spot in Oakhurst. The walk itself is as much a part of the ritual as the coffee. It is a simple, familiar way to ease into the day before seeing where the day takes us.

At some point, we would visit a few museums uptown, the Bechtler or the Mint Museum, which always leave me filled with creative inspiration. We may also stop at SOCO Gallery for contemporary art and books. And because I am always collecting little bits and pieces for my work, we might browse Julia’s Cafe and Books or The Greener Apple for used books, vintage finds, and unexpected inspiration.

One of my favorite parts of any visit would be introducing my best friend to my circle of inspiring, creative girlfriends. We would gather for a casual, intimate dinner, filled with creative banter, plenty of laughter, perhaps an astrology reading, and always a table full of simple, beautiful food.

For dinners out, we would mix it up. Albertine is always high on my list for the tapas, cocktails, and gorgeous interiors. La Belle Helene and Stagioni are special places as well. We may head up to Lake Norman for Aperol Spritzes and shrimp dinners at Hello Sailor. Friday night usually means family pizza at home, so we would order from Bird Pizzeria, Pizza Baby, Pizzeria Omaggio, or Intermezzo.

And since I am not much of a late night person these days, most evenings would wrap up early with a good night’s sleep, rested and ready for whatever the next day brings us!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There isn’t just one person or group, but a constellation of people who have helped shape me! Each one offering something I needed at the time, whether they knew it or not. My family, who showed me what it means to make things with your hands and your heart. My husband, Ladd, who has always accepted and believed in me. He’s a calm, kind, and non-judgmental presence when life feels messy or uncertain. My sons (my greatest teachers), who remind me what love, wonder and presence really look like. The many teachers and therapists who have challenged me to dig beneath the surface, to ask better questions, to stay open and curious, to trust my own intuition and path. The friends who have loved every version of me (and there have been many). And the artists and writers whose work and words continue to stoke my creative fire. I also carry a deep trust that something greater is always at work. I believe the divine moves through people, timing, and those synchronicities that feel too aligned to be chance. There is so much mystery in it all, and I know I’m always loved, supported and guided, even when I don’t fully understand how.

Website: https://www.michelvandevender.com

Instagram: @michelvandevender

Facebook: Michel Van Devender