Meet Michelle Emami

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Emami a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I knew from an early age that my purpose in life was dedicated to the arts. I’ve been painting ever since I was a little girl. Even when we couldn’t afford art classes outside of school or when there were no opportunities available, my mother, who was still in school herself, would take art classes as part of her extracurricular activities and then come home to teach me all that she learned.

That was one of those pivotal moments where I knew that this was what I wanted to do in life. I decided to pursue it more seriously once I went to college. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing at Cal State University, Fullerton, in 2020. Right after that, I went on to receive my Master of Fine Arts at Claremont Graduate University in 2022. Since being out of school, I have been pursuing my passion for the arts and teaching other young minds.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’ve always loved making art. My current body of work focuses a lot on my two cultural backgrounds through the use of repetition, pattern, and design. Lately, however, I’ve been creating work about my life, how it has affected me, my work, and all the different changes happening around the world. I will always incorporate elements of my cultural backgrounds within my work, but I’m starting to move away from exploring what they mean to each other and focusing more on how they identify me.

A little teaser about this new transition within my work: I will be having an upcoming show this October. I have not made the announcement public or discussed a precise date, but it’s something to look forward to.

Another fun fact about me: I am an art instructor for two facilities; one for a community center dedicated to providing art to the community, and the other is a private institute focused on enhancing students’ drawing techniques and expanding on what they wish to explore. I have been an art instructor since 2015 during my academic years. My fondest memories of my academic years were spent teaching on the side and collaborated with other art educators to learn new teaching techniques and share ideas on curriculum.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The art world can be incredibly challenging, with numerous setbacks and rejections. Perseverance has been crucial for me to continue pursuing my passion despite these obstacles. My advice to those early in their journey is to stay committed to your art, even when things get tough. Keep creating, keep learning, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.

The best advice I can give anyone interested in pursuing the arts is to always be open to learning new ideas and techniques. Never be afraid to explore within your work or collaborate with others, whether they are from the same or different fields. I have always had a passion for traditional painting and drawing, but when I pursued my BFA and MFA, I got the opportunity to explore other art forms such as installation art, sculptural work, and much more. These different skills opened my eyes to new materials that I now try to incorporate into my work today.

I encourage aspiring artists to be flexible and willing to experiment. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things – it’s often where the most exciting growth happens. Having a solid foundation in various artistic techniques has been invaluable. This foundation not only helps in creating high-quality work but also allows for more creative freedom. For those starting out, I recommend taking the time to learn and master the basics. Whether through formal education, online courses, or self-study, building this foundation will serve you well throughout your career.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always interested in collaborating with other artists, whether it’s about creating work together or discussing the possibility of a pop-up art show. Currently, I am particularly interested in creating prints of my work. I have a website and an online store set up, but I am facing the challenge of finding someone to provide printing services or discuss potential business proposals that benefit both parties.

If you are interested in collaborating or have expertise in printing services, please feel free to reach out. You can connect with me through my website or contact me directly via email. I look forward to exploring potential collaborations and creative opportunities together.

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