Stories, Comments & Other Thoughts: Observations of An Optimistic Bruja

A Ridiculous Artist Statement

Someone once told me, “Art chooses you, you don't choose it” and it has always resonated with me as truth. No matter where life has led me, it always leads me back to that creative pathway. And believe me, I have tried many times to walk away. Even though I started this crazy art journey as a portrait artist, working in clay has been such an adventure. To me it's always been a medium of infinite possibilities and a new way of storytelling. Working with clay has brought me closer to the absolute beginnings of the creative process and has allowed me to share my journey through lifes ups and downs. I love using humor and pop culture refrences to bring some light and giggles to serious topics. My bright colors and patterns help with that narrative, plus what's life if you can’t laugh through the tough parts at least a little bit?

As I head into my 5th decade on this spinning rock, I’m realizing how quick the years fly by and how I should probably lighten up a bit and maybe just say, “Fuck it!” more often and have some fun. I also feel that as one gets older, perspectives change and suddenly all you really want to do is just eat cake, laugh a lot more, have a cocktail or two or three, and if that kick ass song comes on at your local H-E-B, go ahead and dance on down the aisle. The world is on fire anyway, may as well make the best of it.

 And of course, make some groovy art too!

Michelle Cuevas Artist Bio

Michelle Cuevas was born in Silver City, New Mexico in 1972, but has been a west Texan since age two. In high school she was encouraged to participate in an art program called “Envision” for advance art students and it was then that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in art. Shortly after high school she took lessons in portraiture with San Angelo artist, Elaine May, with whom she learned about various mediums and techniques and was encouraged to develop her own unique style to portrait painting. After Michelle finished her studies with Elaine, she went on to work with Roger Allen at The Old Chicken Farm Art Center where she assisted Roger with his pottery for over a decade.

Even though she works in two different mediums, she has learned that there is a common understanding when creating art: craftsmanship, practice and patience, which she implements every day in her studio and applies to her work.

Shortly after she left the Chicken Farm, she collaborated with two fellow ceramicists, and it was through
that collaboration that she began her own journey with clay, creating hand built functional wares. Each of her pieces are hand painted with designs inspired by textiles from Mexico and pop culture. A few years later, after encouragement from Pamela Enriquez- Courts, she approached Johnny Salas of Santisima Gallery in Albuquerque, NM and was invited to show her work in Old Town. Wanting to explore new work beyond functional pottery, it was then that Michelle began creating her shrines or nichos.

Though she started out as a portrait artist, Michelle has primarily focused on her clay work. A surprising venture to be honest.

Her work can be found at Santisima Gallery in Old Town, Albuquerque, NM. Laurel Ridge Antiques in Gonzalez, Tx, and at Studio C in Corpus Christi, Tx through May 2024.