MICHELE TARAS
DESTIG TORONTO - ART | DESIGN | TRAVEL - ISSUE 09 / JANUARY 2021
BEST OF 2020 | TODAY'S GREAT CANADIAN ARTISTS | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS
"HOW MARVELOUS THAT THEY BROUGHT FORTH SUCH MAGNIFICIENCE FROM THEIR BRUSHES AND CHISELS." - ANONYMOUS
"When I started painting, I was surprised to see how much happiness poured onto the canvas. I really like to celebrate life and all its moments. I have painted about friendship, love and human issues. I also love painting animals."
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Michele Taras has been described by reporter Kitty
Being a fashion photographer was a lot of work. You had
Huisman as "a young Picasso, as if he fell into a
to coordinate models, makeup artists, hair stylists,
rainbow." Michele Taras began painting in 2018 after
designers, location etc... but the challenge of bringing
a long career as a fashion photographer. Her work
everything together always brought such satisfying end
has sold across North America, the Caribbean and
results, and it is fun working in a team.
the Middle East. Her style is contemporary art naive. Her bright colours and happy images make her
It is funny how your insecurities can hold you back from
style easily recognizable and her artwork stands out
what you were really meant to do. For years I thought I
in a room.
couldn't draw or paint and I think it is because of this that I went full throttle into photography. In 2018, I decided I
You are a painter, fashion photographer, and art
would try my hand at painting and see how it goes.
apparel designer. What do you enjoy most about
I bought a canvas and it actually sat in my guestroom for
each of these creative pathways?
about 2 months before I actually had the courage to start.
I love the fact that being an artist, you don't have to
However, with paint and brush in hand I found that
limit yourself to one medium. I have always been a bit
colours and forms came easily to me and before I knew it I
of an overachiever and work hard at everything I do.
was painting and selling more than I even dreamed was
possible. In 2019 I decided on a bit of a whim to design clothing and bring together my passion for fashion with my passion for art. It was really rewarding. I didn't expect much to come from it, I was really only doing it for fun and to express myself, but then I received a phone call from Vancouver Fashion Week asking me to come be a part of their show. It was mind-blowing to receive this personal invitation because their fashion week is truly spectacular. When I sat there watching all the other amazing designers I was so humbled to be a part of it all. You describe your style of art as 'contemporary art naive'. Please explain. We have all heard of the style "Art Naive" where artists use child - like forms and imagery to create their art. My style is so unique and many people have told me that it stands apart from other artists and you can recognize a
"My style is so unique and many people have told me that it stands apart from other artists and you can recognize a Michele Taras right away. I think what makes my art contemporary is my use of curvy forms, imaginary characters and bright complex colour patterns."
Michele Taras right away. I think what makes my art contemporary is my use of curvy forms, imaginary characters and bright complex colour patterns. You are from Montreal but you have lived in China, and travelled to Haiti and Kenya. How has travelling influenced your creativity? I believe that we are all influenced by the world in which we live. African artists are more likely to depict African culture in their work, American artists more likely to depict American life and so on. Having lived abroad and traveled extensively, you cannot help but bring more to your art. Travel really changes you as a person. I first noticed this when one of my paintings "Portrait of Longnecked ladies" made many people comment that it had a definite African vibe to it. Africans are not afraid of using colour and patterns and neither am I. You combine unexpected colors, patterns and shapes that fluidly support and communicate with each other. Tell us about the evolution of a piece? My mind is constantly churning up ideas for paintings. I find it hard to keep up with my thoughts. Usually I have a definite idea of what the painting will be in terms of the subject and how it moves on the canvas. Then I start painting. Sometimes the colours come quickly, other times I have to stop and give space and time to properly figure out which colour should go where so the piece makes sense and everything balances in the end.
photography awards in the world: the PX3 (Paris International Awards) and IPA (the International Photography Awards based in the USA) among many others. How does your background in photography influence your painting? I remember as a child walking with my mom in art museums, looking at the paintings and commenting: "Mom, if these painters had taken a photography course, their art would be so much better." I believe that photography trains you to see the world. It teaches you how to balance objects in the frame to make it look much more than ordinary.
What are you passionate about and how does your art speak about those themes? When I started painting, I was surprised to see how much happiness poured onto the canvas. I really like to celebrate life and all its moments. I have painted about friendship, love and human issues such as Trump's wall and the impact of Covid. I also love painting animals. Sometimes on their own and sometimes showing their relationship with their human counterparts. Your art has been well received across the globe. Tell us about some of your major successes? I love how people appreciate my art. There is no greater compliment than someone buying one of my pieces. It is pretty incredible to me that I have only been painting two years and I have already been accepted in many juried shows and have sold my work to different continents. You had a distinguished career as a photographer. Share with us some of the highlights. I have been very fortunate to receive wide acclaim for my photography work by the largest international
"I remember as a child walking with my mom in art museums, looking at the paintings and commenting: "Mom, if these painters had taken a photography course, their art would be so much better."
"My mission with my Art Apparel brand was to make women understand that we are all beautiful, regardless of race, age, size, sexual preference or disability"
Tell us about the mission behind Michele Taras Art Apparel? My mission with my Art Apparel brand was to make women understand that we are all beautiful, regardless of race, age, size, sexual preference or disability. It was very important to me on all my runway shows to have all types of models. I had gay models, older models, petite models, curvy models, a model with Alopecia and even a model in a wheelchair. I also had a runway show with exclusively Asian models. (You can see videos on YouTube) For many years I had the motto: "The purpose of art is to break the rules of conformity." My fashion design was always more about making a statement in the fashion world than selling clothing. I was so grateful to the fashion shows for supporting this mission and allowing me to bring this variety of models to the runway. Share with us a bit about the creative process behind your art apparel brand's range. Being a photographer I am no stranger to computer work. When I design my clothing I take elements of computer graphics and some elements of my paintings. I might for instance take an eye that I painted and repeat it in a pattern and put it on clothing. I do not like to take an exact replica of my art because I like my art to remain intact and unique. I also want my clothing to be high-end so I have it manufactured high quality and limited edition. I never make more than 25 pieces of one item.
"I feel like I have traveled a long road of hard work to finally end up where I belong. Expect to see my paintings on the walls of big museums going forward." What can we look forward to from you, going forward? When people ask me what I will do going forward, I always say that I am riding the roller coaster and will see where it takes me. However I am so excited with my paintings. I feel like I have traveled a long road of hard work to finally end up where I belong. Expect to see my paintings on the walls of big museums going forward. I feel I owe it to the people who have bought my paintings to do my best to become a famous, wellaccomplished artist. Website: www.micheletaras.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/michele_taras