MICHELLE BLADE This is the work of Michelle Blade. We are really fond of the mix between decorative elements and figures to create a very interesting and peculiar line of work.
Nuno Soares/ Cristina Correia
07.10.2005
NEOZINE* - Most artists follow a sketch/drawing to painting/canvas path, but your drawings seem to have a life of their own, even theme is a bit different. What quests do you pursue with your drawings and paintings?
MICHELLE BLADE - My quest is to pursue what comes naturally. I try not to question it too much. There are certain themes that run through everyone's lives and I would say that is what comes out in my paintings/drawings. I also try to let the background, or whatever I am working on, have influence on what I am making. One of my favorite things is staining and prepping large panels of wood to paint on. Once it is dry and ready, I incorporate it into the painting as a sky or a wall in a living room.
NEOZINE* - You have a developed a unique style, what was the process to achieve it?
MICHELLE BLADE - For a long time I made drawings/paintings and did not show them to anyone. When I started, I didn't think they were very good; it seemed as if "the look" of my art was changing on me every couple of weeks. I would make a series of paintings that visually looked the same, and the next month there would be a new batch that seemed like it came out of nowhere, looking completely different. Each time I would just ride it through because it felt like a natural progression. I'm not quite sure when it fell into place, but eventually many of the styles in which I was painting or drawing came back together and brought me to where I am now.
NEOZINE* - There's hair with beautiful patterns and lots of people in your compositions. Could you describe what is your main theme?
MICHELLE BLADE - I guess I would have to start by explainging that I am from a family that is very white, with no lineage that anyone bothered to keep track of. Since I live in Los Angeles I am exposed to many tastes of different cultures. I am infatuated and and a little jealous of all of them, especially Hispanic cultures. Through my art, I have become a culture borrower, trying on cultures with each drawing/painting I make. Some of the people and animals I draw come from this influence. I also do a lot of research on the art of craft- I love things that are hand made and have a history to them. I guess this is where the patterns and hair fall into place. The hair is not directly taken from any specific craft but references some of the women who make them.
NEOZINE* - This is something we get curious when we talk to an artist that currently participates in shows: how did you feel in your first show, and did it influenced work to come in what manner?
MICHELLE BLADE - My first show made me really nervous. It was a juried show hosted by my college, and one of my pieces was given an honorable mention. It was an exciting moment but I remember wanting to leave the entire time because all the people looking at my work made me really uncomfortable. I still enjoy going to other people's art openings rather than my own, and I think that is where the influence comes into play. When I see someone else's work in a gallery that I admire, all I want to do is go home and make more work. The same is true if I see a really bad show though.
NEOZINE* - The "Pacific and Eddy" Movie has got a great image. That watercolor feeling and so smooth compositions are really poetic. What influenced this particular work? Are there future participations and did it opened new doors to you?
MICHELLE BLADE - The director, Matt Nourse, and I talked about the colors and feeling of the movie before it was even filmed. We worked together, tossing back and forth ideas and this was something I made right after I finished reading the script. The movie is beautiful and dreamy feeling so I used a type of paper that is similar to vellum. The movie was filmed in parts of San Diego, CA which is an area that (to me) has lots of soft grey and blue with pastel. This is why I chose to make the paintings more water and ink based. I also made five large 4.5ft X 4.5ft wood panel oil paintings for the film. I took off seven months of work to make them and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I also met so many amazing people. So, yes, it definitely opened many new kind of doors for me.
NEOZINE* - Wanna share some future work?
MICHELLE BLADE - Sure, I am currently doing the art direction for a music video for a great band called Sea Wolf. Some of the pieces I am making include large wood paintings of cut outs of wolves and hand made Victorian masks with wolf faces. I'm very excited to work on the masks because itwill give me a chance to make some of my drawings three dimensional.
MICHELLE BLADE 
