3 min read

New feature MEET THE ARTIST

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Michelle Brenmark

Wisconsin, USA

Who are you, and what is your background?

My name is Michelle Brenmark, a.k.a. One Artsy Momma. I'm happily married to my best friend of 28 years, Ed. We have twin teenagers, Eddie and Catie, plus two dogs, Indy and Junior.

I'm a breast cancer survivor (5 years cancer-free) and a self-taught artist.

I've been creating art since I was a child. While I took a long hiatus from creating once I became a momma, I eventually jumped back into it; it was in 2012 that I decided to try digital art for the first time. I saved up for a

Mactop laptop, a Wacom tablet, and this

fantastic software called ArtRage.

I taught myself how to create digitally, and I opened up my very first

Product on Demand (POD) store:

Zazzle store One Artsy Momma

What is your favorite medium?

In 2019, I stopped creating digitally and started using the real deal. I first started with watercolor paints and, lately, colored pencils. I am seriously considering trying out acrylic paint. I am going to experiment with this technique called paint pouring. I can't wait to try it out. It looks so fun, but it will be messy.

My favorite medium would be colored pencils, which is surprising because when I first started using them, I didn't enjoy the process. It's a slow way to create art because of the many layers of color you need to put down onto your paper and the color blending process.

What do you enjoy creating?

My favorite subjects, hands-down, are owls. They are so majestic and adorable.

(click the photo to see this image on a ceramic tile from Zazzle)

When I found digital art in 2012, my main subjects were ladybugs. This is my very first ladybug painting.

(click the photo to see this image on a Poster at Zazzle) -->

Then, I started my Wildlife Series: pieces of animals with a ladybug visiting them on their noses or beaks. This panda bear was the first creation of the series.

(Click on the photo to see this image on a Throw Pillow from Zazzle)

What food, drink, or song inspires you?

Music is another form of art. I always have music playing while I'm creating. I love a variety of music genres, from classic rock to jazz. My favorites are The Beatles, Led Zepplin, Wings, Sir Paul McCartney, and Vince Guaraldi. Lately, I have to hit the repeat mode on my favorite song from Wings, "Goodnight Tonight." (YouTube)

I LOVE that song!

Professionally, what is your goal?

I plan to write and illustrate my first children's book within six months. I want to create more art pieces, as well.

What is your best advice for someone wanting to start as an artist?

I would say don't put your eggs in too many baskets. If you plan to sell your art online via product-on-demand websites, choose a couple of sites. I made the mistake of joining a half dozen sites when I first started my art, and it was too much stress and a huge hassle to load my art to each site. It was way too time-consuming. Just start with one or two. I highly recommend Zazzle.com. They have high-quality products and superb customer service.