Where are you from, and how did you get into making art?
I was born in Denver, Colorado moved to Jupiter, Florida where I met Al Chalmers Beck a retired master stained glass artist. I had worked in Health Food stores for several year and knew I needed to figure out a way to make a living with my hands doing something creative as working in an office would never have worked for me. I became mesmerized watching Mr. Chalmers work with glass and convinced him I would be an asset to his studio. I cleaned, answered the phone, etc., in exchange Mr. Chalmers took me in as an apprentice for 3 years. I learned how to run a business, how to work with clients/patrons/contractors until I could afford to open my own studio In 1981 and was successful working in this industry for another 19 years. In 2000 I decided I wanted to study art and began pursuing a degree eventually earning my BFA in Ceramics. I loved learning about other art forms and am glad I took that side road to stretch my imagination. In the end, I missed working with glass.
Is there a theme to your work, or several themes?
In the beginning I had no theme. I was classically trained in architectural restoration and stained glass repair. My goal was to learn the process in preserving historical stained glass panels and also making custom stained glass panels for commercial, residential and ecclesiastical patrons. In 2000, I wanted to go back to school and learn about other art forms as I did not have that opportunity out of high school. After receiving my BFA in Ceramics I wanted to reinvent myself as a conceptual based Sculptor working with clay and other media. So today I do have a theme mostly based on the observations of Nature and the Human Condition.
You’re known for both stained glass and clay, do you see a relationship between these mediums, or do you consider the works separate?
At the moment they are separate. As I was missing working with glass I also find I cannot give up working with clay. My future goal is to incorporate both mediums in more harmonious forms. I love a challenge and I love the creative process. It is only a matter of time before I find ways to connect both mediums.
Speaking of stained glass and clay, are there other mediums you like to work in, or a medium you’d like to try still?
That is a good question. When I went back to school to complete my education, I explored as many concentrations of the art disciplines as possible at ECU, printmaking, textiles, drawing, metals & clay. As much as I enjoyed learning about all of them, Clay held my attention the most and I began thinking about how to continue working with this material after I graduated in 2005.
Is there another artist in your field or any other that inspires you?
Oh my yes, Antoinette Bandenhorst, Jennifer McCurdy, to name two of my favorite clay artists. As for the stained glass field I can only look to the 1000+ history of the church along with Louis Comfort Tiffany who successfully brought colored glass panels out of the church and made that art form popular in the home during the Victorian era. And who does not love the one-eyed glass blower Dale Chihuly? Today, colored glass can be contemporary as well as traditional. With the invention of electricity in the 1930s, it is now affordable for the average artist to own their own kiln, melt glass or clay and to create brand new forms as never before. In my philosophy Class at ECU and the on going discussion, ‘Is Art Dead?’ I can assure you Art Glass is just getting started and truly Not Dead nor dying.
Is there any award, exhibition, or specific piece that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
1000 Possibilities Installation that was held at Fine Art at Baxter’s Gallery in 2012 . That show represented all the possibilities that are possible in our world. I made 1000 eggs in different sizes using different clay bodies and a variety of glazes to represent the colors of our Earthly forests. They were arranged in a spiral form to represent our galaxy, spinning & moving with the promise of more possibilities. I certainly have other favorites, but this was my most significant work (so far) in my career.
Do you have any advice for other artists about their artwork, career, or anything else?
Wow, giving advice is a slippery slope. Know your self and stay focused.
Besides art, what other hobbies and things do you like to do?
Space Exploration! Yes, I wanted to be an astronaut but have no head for numbers. I follow the launches of Nasa and Space X. Viewing the newest images from the Hubble, the International Space Station & amateur astronomy clubs.
We lived on our boat for 10 years, now we just have a dingy and explore the Neuse & Trent Rivers. I love the water.
I love gardening. Plants in pots as I find myself living in places were I have no direct access to the earth and dirt. I like following the seasonal migratory routes of birds & butterflies and attracting them to my garden.
I know you’ve got the studio at 217 Middle St., where else can people find your work?
My website: www.michaelerose.com • fb: Michaele Rose Artist Studio
Instagram: Michaele Rose Watson
Some of my Stained Glass Installations on Middle St.
300 Blk of Middle St: Bella’s Cafe, Cow Cafe & The Kress Bldg.
200 Blk of Middle St: Mike’s Jewelers front entrance door, transoms & windows, Folks Foundation Transom and future home of a fully restored circa. 1910 Victorian 9ft panel soon to be installed in their second floor Tonic Bar and the entire front entrance at Michaelé Studio M.
By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.