2013 MSAA Art Showcase Entrants

View this month’s Artist of the Month

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Michelle Hotchkiss – Palmer, AK

My name is Michelle Hotchkiss. I live on a small farm in a small town in Alaska with my husband, a very large dog and my dog-tolerant cat. I have two wonderful adult children and 2 of the cutest grandchildren ever born.

I finally had a diagnosis of MS in 1994 after years of odd symptoms. In 1994, I had a serious and scary attack which resulted in diagnoses of MS within days. It took a while, but I fortunately recovered and was able to return to work and lead a very active and outdoorsy lifestyle.

After 15 years of MS, it has started to slow me down to where I am no longer able to lead the life I once had. This led me into looking for new hobbies that I could do in spite of the limitations. I tried scrapbooking but it was very expensive and wasn’t satisfying coloring in stamps. So I decided to try drawing my own designs which lead me deeper into the art of drawing and painting. I found a lot of on-line information on Mixed Media and art journaling and continue to explore other mediums and art styles and whatever makes me happy.

I am a big believer that hobbies are great for a person’s mental health, they bring beauty into one’s life as well as a sense of satisfaction and pleasure.

The painting of the girl holding the leaf was inspired by the battle I have had with MS and a quote by Albert Camus “In the midst of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer”. It is a 16×20 acrylic on canvas board.

 

Midst of Winter


Longing to Fly


Boot