Meet Michelle Vo

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

Hi Michelle, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I believe that confidence and resilience intertwine and, in my case, have been fostered through both positive and negative experiences over the years.

I started drawing back in middle school, and I wasn’t the greatest at it. One scenario that positively influenced me was during a t-shirt design contest for the Science Olympiad club I was involved with at the time. At one meeting, we were all drawing designs, and I saw my artistically inclined classmate doodling what would later be chosen as the winning design. When I compared it to mine, which lacked direction due to combining many random elements, I felt like, “What’s the point in trying?” After sharing these defeating thoughts with my teacher and friends, they encouraged me to reframe the situation: “What can I draw differently to express a more cohesive idea?” This moment taught me the importance of acknowledging problems so that I could process and find solutions afterward. This mindset shift marked the beginning of fostering my resilience in my creative journey.

Although my confidence remains a work in progress, looking back, I can definitely say I’ve grown in my creative abilities over the years. I began by exploring what artistically inspired me, absorbing insights from peers and mentors while creating art. I delved into reference books, experimented with different mediums, learned new techniques through classes, and embraced every opportunity as a learning experience. As my skills became more proficient, I started putting myself out there: showing in juried art shows, participating in community art events, completing commissions, co-creating and leading art organizations at the high school and college levels, and working at various studios around town. Through all of this, experiencing both hardship and rewarding moments, I learned to trust that I can overcome difficult situations by actively seeking solutions while maintaining resilience.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I enjoy expressing my ideas in a visually creative way, creating work that connects me with others. Seeing my friends, family, and clients light up when they receive my art and crafted gifts is incredibly rewarding—it’s fulfilling to know that my creations bring joy to others.

Furthermore, I thrive on the challenge of mastering each artistic medium, constantly pushing myself to improve. Currently, I’m immersed in learning and practicing various forms of glasswork, including glass blowing, fusing, mosaics, and stained glass. My art communicates messages through symbolism and visual movement, often experimenting with color palettes, placement, and form.

I find immense fascination in the versatility of translating my illustrative work into glass. I enjoy grappling with the complexities of color placement and light transmission—understanding how lighting nuances can transform a design and mastering techniques to harness this effect is particularly intriguing to me.

I am excited to share that I will be having my first solo art exhibition! I will be showing at the TANK Space located at Spring Street Studios (Houston, TX) from August 30, 2024, to November 2, 2024. The opening reception will be held on September 14, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm CST. I will showcase work that highlights my Vietnamese heritage, as it is deeply intertwined with memories of my grandmother. This show is a tribute to her, because to me, she epitomizes kindness, selflessness, patience, and resilience. These traits are a work in progress that I hope to continue fostering as I continue on my creative journey.

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

Reflecting on my journey, determination and adaptability have been among my leading qualities. There were times when I had to pivot on projects due to challenges, leaving me frustrated and questioning my abilities. However, having the drive to try again provided me with another opportunity to improve both the situation and myself. Additionally, being attentive to details has enabled me to thoroughly learn the ins and outs, thereby honing my craftsmanship.

My advice for others is to embrace the process, recognizing that there is much to learn and that mistakes are inevitable. If you ever feel lost, it’s okay to take a step back to reevaluate before making your next decision.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe it’s beneficial to strive for a well-rounded skill set by improving areas where you may not be as strong. This process exposes you to different subjects and methods that you might not have considered before. Often, this new information and exposure can inspire you to pursue a different path that may better suit you. I see life as a continual learning experience with so much out there to discover. Being well-rounded also allows you to explore different interests, helping you learn more about yourself—what fits and works for you and what doesn’t. While it’s important to be proficient in our strengths, I also believe it’s not the sole determinant of success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Michellevoart.com
• Instagram: Michellevoart