Michele O’Brien
Somerville, MA., U.S
Website
www.micheleobrienart.com
How would you describe your work?
My current work is abstract collage with graphic & text details. I tend to work on a small scale. I use a lot of what I call distressed paper - mainly from image transfers I make that result in torn/distressed looking pages. I like using these as collage backgrounds and then adding bold text or graphic elements on the surface. Sometimes the title is significant to the piece;
“Bring Your Own” is meant to encourage the viewer to bring their own interpretation to the piece, and by extension, to any artwork.
I like to experiment on unusual surfaces as well, like the “Undone” collage shown here. This was a small cardboard cookie box that looked interesting when I broke it down, and I just had to collage on it.
I also started a side project making collaged postcards and mailing them to folks who connect with me on Bluesky. It's been a fun way to meet other artists and art allies, and make stronger connections than what usually happens on social media. Sometimes I get fun mail in return, which is truly exciting!
What inspires you?
Other contemporary artists! I'm hugely inspired by living artists' artwork, especially mixed media/sculpture. Contemporary art museums are my favorite. Boston, where I'm based, has the excellent Institute of Contemporary Art. Chicago has the MCA, which I’ve visited and enjoyed tremendously.
I’m also inspired by local artists near me in Somerville and Boston. I volunteer with the Cambridge Art Association and Somerville Open Studios and have made some wonderful connections through that work. I’m in awe of the output by local artists, both in terms of their actual artwork, and their unceasing efforts to keep the arts alive. Unpaid work by artists is still, sadly, a huge driver of our culture in the U.S. Ireland has instituted a paid wage to artists and is finding that to be financially beneficial overall; if only we could have something like that here...
Can you speak about your process?
I’m inspired by the materials (paper is endlessly various) and usually use that as my starting point. If I’m feeling stuck, I look through my stash until I find something that sparks excitement. I also love to create distressed papers using image transfer techniques. I draw and paint on paper as well, often found/recycled paper, and incorporate that into my work. I use old magazines, newspaper, junk mail, packing paper, discarded books, and occasionally some “fancy” papers that I’ve purchased that have specific qualities like being super thin tissue weight, or having patterns I love.
How did you become interested in art?
I was lucky; my parents encouraged creativity in visual arts and writing and music. They loved art themselves, in many forms. I was exposed to a lot of different types of artwork and listened to a wide variety of music as well, at a young age. All of that influenced me in my creative life. I still love discovering new visual artists and new music.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?
Quote: “Courage! I think that is what’s most required.” -Margaret Atwood.
Some favorite living artists include Firelei Báez, Xochi Solis, Vanessa German, Kara Walker, musician Meshell Ndegeocello and poet Staceyann Chin. Artists who combine activism/speaking out with their art practice are most inspiring to me.
Movie: Watermelon Woman by Cheryl Dunye. It’s an older indie film that remains brilliant.
TV series: Derry Girls made me laugh til I cried. At this point in my country's history, something that makes me laugh is precious.
Books: We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman; Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahisi Coates; The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker.
What advice do you have for younger artists?
Find and create your artist community. Build relationships, give and get support. These will help sustain you when things are hard. And try to spend more time making art than posting it!
Any more thoughts about art, creativity, or anything else you would liketo share?
The struggle with internal and external judgement is real. It’s a serious deterrent to creativity. I am still/always learning how to follow my own muse when it comes to artmaking. Creating what I really want to see can feel elusive; the voices of judgement interrupt my process. But the more I “play” and experiment in the studio, the closer I get to following that muse and the better I feel about what I create. The trick seems to be to keep going.
