Michelle Buser

Watch the mini documentary about Michelle Buser :

Michelle and her work

Hello, everyone! Here is our fourth artist, Michelle Buser. I remember when we first met at another artist’s birthday party. It was also when I met Blanco as well. Nonetheless, it is now happening, and it is a great pleasure to onboard another talent into this channel.

Michelle's mixed media artworks showcase intersections of human experiences, romanticism, nature, and portraitures. While advocating for the external beauty of individuality, she also embraces an inner connection fostered by shared human experiences and emotions that derive vulnerability, strength, empowerment, and a unique story.

‘Connection’ is the theme she specially imbues into her artworks. Her portrait series of ‘Soul’ and now her new oil painting series ‘Dolce Far Niente’ are what captivated me to feature her. While it is a joyful and therapeutic journey for herself, Michelle expresses her opinion of the importance of finding balance in people’s lives by being connected to their inner selves and nature.

Portrait Series of “Souls”

“The Eyes are the window to the soul.”

People relate to each other more than they know. However, it is more common to spot differences. That is likely the root of all the problems we see in today’s society.

Michelle’s works are philanthropic pieces of art that promote an idea of ‘connection’ that aims to bring out people’s humanity and empathy in her audience more: “…[A] connection to each other as one”. And it could be the only solution to all of the challenges and problems we are facing in today’s society.

Connection. This is what Michelle’s portraiture is all about. Michelle selects a figure that inspires her to imbue emotions and feelings into her portraitures. By focusing solely on human expression, Michelle eliminates judgment, fear, prejudice, and many social issues. Just by painting the human figure’s face, Michelle's works guide the audience to focus on the figure’s expression to let it inspire people to observe, feel, and perhaps resonate with their emotions.

Her intention calls the audience to pay attention to each painting and spark their empathy. Michelle’s works are mediums to serve as a reminder of the audience’s own past, hoping for them to reach a degree of resolution or reconciliation: “…maybe it serves as a reminder in your home of what you’ve overcome or simply…the sweetness of life…[or] gives a sense of appreciation”.

“Whether it’s toughness or sadness, a childlike absentmindedness or joy, I hope it reminds people that we’re all the same at heart and people deserve that chance to be greeted with compassion first.”
- Michelle

The oil series “The Sweetness of Doing Nothing / The Art of Leisure“

In the oil series of “Dolce Far Niente,” Michelle’s work embraces a simple and balanced life by painting nature as a subject with daydreamy and nostalgic feelings.

Growing up in a small town in Virginia, nature has been a huge spiritual influence on Michelle. These have been a core life force for Michelle to hold onto while she was working in DC - where intense workaholic cultures are considered a source of pride. However, such culture may overrun one’s balance in life and thus contribute to a disconnection between one’s self and social life.

From the experience of living two different lives in different living environments, Michelle urges her audience to value more on a spiritual connection to one’s self and other people. Instead of prioritizing societal norms and their harmful byproducts, Michelle highlights the idea of ‘doing nothing‘ but committing to knowing their inner self and being aware of their connection to the outward environment - with the world. Such inspiration came from her travel in Italy, the origination of the phrase where they live.

Painting nature as an art piece may be a blend idea. However, as for its nature, that is what art is. Michelle uses nature as an element to proclaim that being close to nature is essential, and that very idea extends to an idea of people revisiting themselves to feel colorful, dreamy, romantic, and nostalgic. For Michelle, it is a serenity to paint them.