“Michele Maule is super cool.”

That’s a quote from the owner of 323 East, an art gallery/boutique in Royal Oak.  Michele’s “I Heart My Bike” painting [above] as well as several of her prints are interspersed on the packed walls of the small shop, which is crammed full of neat things.  He tells me that her stuff flies out of his store, and she had dropped off the stack of prints in front of me that very day.

Thinking back to Christmastime when I first noticed Michele’s paintings at a holiday craft fair, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen her work since.  There’s no question that she’s blown up after moving to Detroit from Portland.  In the past year, she’s been featured in Detroit Home magazine, Decor8, and just last week was handpicked to be part of Etsy’s Shop Live: 30 Minute Sale.  I feel very lucky that she agreed to grant our little baby blog its first ever interview.  Click the link to read the entire Q&A.

Your artistic style translates well into a number of different mediums.  Which technique is your favorite?
I honestly don’t feel like I have a favorite medium or technique. I really like working in all kinds of mediums. I tend to work in one medium for awhile, grow a bit bored with it, then move onto something else. Once I get tired of that one, I move to another one, and on and on. I think I like them all equally, and I like being able to move from one to the other. It keeps me interested.

Your work’s predominant colors are teal and red.  Is this a conscious decision?  Do you consider your palette something that makes your work identifiable to others?
I don’t think it’s a very conscious decision. I didn’t realize that I work with these two colors until someone pointed it out to me recently. I just really love those two colors together. I think my palette is pretty recognizable. I tend to work in bright colors, and I love the red, blue, and yellow color palette!

You’ve gotten recognition in local press as well as in big design blogs like Decor8.  How you you think most people come to discover you?
I’m all about social networking. I try to get my name out there as much as possible. I think the more people see your name the better. I try not to be too spammy about it too. Some people really just use social networking for strictly promoting, but I really like to try to use it for what’s it’s intent is. Socializing. I think that is really key.

Is printmaking your livelihood or is it something you enjoy doing on the side?
Making art is my livelihood. I love it. I really hope I can continue to do this for a very long time.

When were you first able to support yourself off of your creative talents?
I started making art full time about a year and a half ago. I had saved up some money for our move out to Michigan from Portland. The plan was that I would look for a job when we got here…well, I looked. I looked for a long time, but just couldn’t find anything. So I started posting some things on Etsy, and those sold, so I posted more…and more, and that is where I am today.

One could argue that In Detroit, the best place to get exposure is the craft fair circuit while in Portland there’s a healthy gallery scene.  Do you agree, and which route do you plan to pursue once you move back?
I think that Detroit has a great craft scene, and I think Portland has one too. It’s growing quite a bit. I think that when I move back, I’ll probably pursue both avenues.  There are some really good craft fairs popping up in Portland and Seattle. There are also quite a few galleries that are interested in showing lesser known artists. There are also a billion coffee places in Portland that showcase a new artist every month or so. So that is definitely something I will be looking into.

Where are your favorite places to go in Detroit and in Portland?
Let’s see…Detroit is hard. I live in Pontiac, and honestly have only been able to get down to Detroit a handful of times. Between Michael’s schedule, and only having the one car, it’s been hard to really explore the city. I’ve really enjoyed going to the DIA, and seeing all the old homes that are slowly falling apart.  In Portland, well I could probably write a book about all my favorite places. I love hanging out at Powell’s bookstore downtown. I also love hanging out at The Bipartisan Cafe and drinking coffee all day. I love hiking up the Rose Garden in June, and then up the Japanese Garden. Oh! and First and Last Thursdays! I think that’s it!

See more of Michele’s work at michelemaule.com and at her etsy shop. She blogs at How 2 Draw a Cup of Coffee.

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14 Comments on ““Michele Maule is super cool.””

• Diana
  

  I love Michele’s work!! So nice to read this interview. It shows her for the genuinely nice person she is

  04-15-09 » 10:51 AM »

• Ann Marie
  

  I too did a little more research on this wonderful artist after seeing her on decor8. You’ve done a great job with this interview and post.

  04-15-09 » 12:28 PM »

• Alex/galexiegirl
  

  Michel’s work is really great….and this is an awesome interview. Nicely done!

  04-15-09 » 1:55 PM »

• Rachel B.
  

  Amazing illustrations!!!

  04-15-09 » 8:38 PM »

• christina
  

  Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement!

  04-15-09 » 11:34 PM »

• Mariss
  

  Her work is lovely, I especially love the bike and typewriter. I like her lines and how it’s not super straight / perfect.

  Great job, and I’m proud of you! (friend from “class

  04-15-09 » 11:51 PM »

• Chocolate and Steel
  

  what a great interview! Thanks so much for showing off more of Michele’s work. love it!

  04-16-09 » 3:05 AM »

• Carolyn
  

  Christina,
  This interview is incredible! You did such a wonderful job and I’m a huge fan of Michele’s work! I love that last print you posted. Thank you so much for sharing this interview and putting so much work into it! So exciting!!
  Best wishes,
  Carolyn

  04-16-09 » 12:54 PM »

• Jacqueline
  

  I love Michele’s work too! This is such a wonderful interview…thank you soo much for this great feature! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

  04-17-09 » 11:10 AM »

• Lynsey
  

  Hi Christina, what a great interview and illustrations! I’ll definitely be checking out her etsy site!

  04-19-09 » 2:46 PM »

• Amanda
  

  This is a great interview. Definitely going to check out her work!

  04-19-09 » 11:00 PM »

• Jillian
  

  I really enjoyed this interview. It was very well written and interesting. I love Michele’s work, especially the color palette…that was a great question/observation.

  04-20-09 » 2:31 PM »

• Holly Gibbs
  

  This interview is so great, and I love this artist. Congrats on going for it!

  04-20-09 » 2:55 PM »

• Gina
  

  Thanks for posting on my beginner blog- you have a great set up , I am looking into changing the look of mine and yours is great inspiration. Your artist interview was very thoughtful ) I have a Michele Maule print ( tea time ) hanging in my family room and it’s nice to hear her thoughts.:)

  04-21-09 » 8:15 PM »

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