Meet Michelle Armas: Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Armas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I can honestly say the most important thing that has lead to my success is to TRUST MY PROCESS and that lives in my body and my mind. I trust myself when I can’t paint for a month, or more. Once it was three months and nothing but mud cam out of my brain. I trust myself when I have an idea that I wan’t to try out and I waste materials, paint, expensive stuff or my time stretching and re stretching canvas. Whew. I have majorly blown time and resources trying to get an idea out. Every time it has lead to something. Maybe not what I wanted, but something great came from it. I know that I need a regular schedule of time alone in my studio, I know I need a lot of sleep, I know I need a walk a day or I start to turn into a monster. I KNOW these things and I take them for myself. I had to learn to do this b/c I am a woman in this society, and I have been conditioned to put off my own work or my own needs for my family. One day I decided that I don’t want to paint, I NEED to paint. Everything and everyone in my life can get used to it b/c I prefer my own mental health and my own success to pleasing those around me. It took courage for me b/c I got a lot of pushback. When you define your boundaries there is always someone who doesn’t like it. So take what you need. TAKE IT,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been painting forever, since I was a kid. My dad is a great painter, he encouraged my eager pursuit of painting and drawing. Still does. I began painting and created my first collection in 2006, so 15 years ago. Wowza. I’ve been lucky to work with amazing galleries and clients so that I can keep playing with paint and having fun making new things. I couldn’t really have any other job. I have learned that the best way to be successful is to focus on your work. Always focus on honing your craft, and all the little setbacks and failures and cringy moments just become the building blocks of your knowledge. I like to picture my goals in my mind and really visualize and experience them. It feels amazing and helps me connect with my intuition about what I want to make or craft. Also I like to see (in my mind’s eye) my higher self (older, wise, better, hotter me) and she sure does have a look in her eye that says “I am a badass” so I figure when I fail or make mistakes I am building to her, so that must mean I am becoming a badass. Its basic logic of course.

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.
Oh what a lovely pre-covid question! I’d take my friend on a bike ride to Freedom Park farmers market of a Saturday morning. Then picnic with the geese on the beautiful lawn at the Carter Center and have friends join us for a socially distanced picnic. Or build a big ol fire in the back yard and have her over and of course that must become a ladies night. We could order drinks from JarJar drinks, or maybe get some oysters form Kimbal house delivered and a caviar tray from Marcel. Or one day we can build a fire and cook an amazing steak from Evergreen Baker/Butcher right on the fire. Then (since its a whole week and all) I would take us on a little trip to the untouched and stunning beauty of Cumberland Island, Ga. We would stay a night or two at the Greyfield Inn and swim in cold water, kayak and get lost in the marshy grasses, chat and giggle our way on hikes and through bottles of champagne and delicious food. Its a quick five hour drive from my home in Atlanta. Then on her last night we would order Ca Ri Ga soup from the delicious Vietvanna Pho Noodle House and a bottle of wine from Dom Beijos in Kirkwood and have dinner to plan our next trip and adventure, and probably book the tickets like right then too. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first gallery to notice my work and take me on. The Gregg Irby Gallery, and all of the amazing women who work there. I am so lucky to be represented by them, and I get excited every time I create a collection of work for them. Best Gallery in Atlanta if you ask me 🙂

Website: www.michellearmas.com

Instagram: @michellearmas007

Image Credits
Josh Meister took the photo of me in my studio. https://www.instagram.com/photomeister/