2015 MSAA Four Seasons Art Showcase Entrants

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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 who is very supportive and wonderful, a very large dog and my dog-tolerant cat. I have two wonderful adult children and 2 of the cutest grandchildren ever born.

After years of odd symptoms, I was finally diagnosed with MS in 1994, after I ended up in the emergency room with a serious and scary MS attack. It took a while, but I recovered and was able to return to work and lead a very active and outdoorsy lifestyle.

After 15 years, MS 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 I wasn’t satisfied coloring in stamps, so I decided to try drawing and found out I was pretty good at it. This led me deeper into drawing and painting and exploring different types of art such as mixed media and art journaling. I 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 and provide a sense of satisfaction and pleasure, which help counteract the things that MS has taken away.

 

Blue Poppy
Blue Poppy
 - Artwork

Wilberforce the Rabbit
Wilberforce the Rabbit
 - Artwork

Frog Heaven
Frog Heaven
 - Artwork