We recently connected with Michelle Sider 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?
My purpose as an artist is multi-faceted and has changed as I have matured. However, as I see it today, I found my purpose during a deep conversation with my son. At the time he was struggling with how he fit in with his peers, I gave him some advice that applied to both of us. After listening to him describe his struggles, I told him “God gave you certain abilities and it is your job to use those abilities to make the world a better place. Figure out what you enjoy doing and spend the time needed to get good at it and share it with the world.” These words have helped me to find and maintain my purpose during good times and rough times. It has been a navigational compass to keep me on track with my art. I truly believe that God gave me artistic abilities and it is my job to use my abilities to create expressive art and share it. I believe that by creating and sharing my unique perspective through art, I add color, humanity, thoughtfulness, and important stories to the world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have always seen the world through artists’ eyes. My mom tells the story that as an infant, she knew I was artistic when she saw me playing with shadows created on the floor by a ray of sunlight. I have always been fascinated by how light plays on surfaces. Some might see it as an obsession. I wouldn’t disagree. I began my art career as a painter and started gravitating toward glass mosaics about 20 years ago. I now work almost exclusively with glass and stone.
I am fascinated by how light reflects upon, bounces off of, shines through, and is absorbed into various materials. I play with textures, light conditions, and the angles at which I place pieces to seamlessly integrate various materials into an image that captures a special moment or an idea. This technique allows the glass, gold smalti, metals, and other materials to change color as the light fluctuates throughout the day. A bold use of color, expressive content, emphasis on texture, diversity of tesserae sizes, and a painterly style characterize my artistic sensibility. The contrasts of warm and cool colors, value, a variety of textures, and the flow of the materials, balance feelings of energy and calm in my work. Using these artistic techniques I aim to create mosaics that evoke an emotional response.
Thematically, my mosaics explore the subjects of identity, spirituality, and searching for a sense of place. My landscapes express my gratitude, awe, and keen observations of the natural world. Inspired by my surroundings, I create light-focused mosaics as a metaphor for personal reflections. I spend a great deal of time outdoors photographing my surroundings, looking for interesting patterns and colors as inspiration for my mosaic designs. My goal is to create mosaics that evoke feelings of gratitude, a sense of calm and well-being, and also spiritual energy.
Interest in my heritage and the untold stories of immigrants inspired my I Am Yemenite and Untold Stories series. These glass mosaic portraits are meant to challenge perceptions of immigrants and in particular share the story of Jews of Arab, African, and European descent. The incorporation of hand-made jewelry, ancient pottery, and other historically significant materials enhances the rich cultural significance of these pieces. My goal with this series is to spark conversations about the experiences of immigrants and minorities, the balance between assimilation and maintaining one’s identity, and sharing untold stories from the region. This series has also sparked a new body of figurative work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the most important qualities on my journey have been perseverance, belief in myself, and reaching out to others whom I trust for help. Choosing the path of an artist can at times be lonely and not supported by those around you. I think it is very important to believe in yourself and persevere especially when times are difficult. Making money may be one goal, but it isn’t the only goal, Don’t let a lack of sales discourage you from continuing with your inner vision and creativity. I have always said to myself: “You can do everything, just not all at the same time”. This mantra has helped me to maintain my vision as an artist even at times when I needed to take other jobs or when life has taken unexpected turns, forcing me to change course.
I have found it very helpful to find a supportive group of creatives. Finding others whom you can trust for advice is important. This also allows you to be a source of information and feedback to them. Avoid unhelpful people. Finding even one or two other artists who are on a similar path and are kind enough to care about your journey is a powerful resource and support.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
The answer to this question is YES and YES. It is very important to learn as much about yourself as you can. This isn’t limited to your artistic self. Knowing your strengths can help you to make choices to hone your skills and find mentors. Dig deep and learn as much as you can about your passions. And keep in mind that some of the best teachers may be those that you do not agree with. Make goals for yourself related to your passion. And then challenge yourself to learn new skills within the scope of your passion that will help you to reach your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michellesider.com
- Instagram: @Michellesider
- Facebook: Michelle Sider-Artist. and Michelle Sider
- Linkedin: @Michellesider
Image Credits
Photo credit for Michelle Sider’s mosaics: Eric Law
