Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Curran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Fully encapsulating the natural talent vibe, I am a self-taught Artist. I first began painting with watercolor over 10 years ago as an outlet from trauma. This apparently undiscovered talent took off quickly as I began to explore other mediums. I realized, much to my surprise, that I had a natural knack to use multiple colors, a water bottle, and a palette knife at once and not only did my work not turn muddy, but in fact, the colors danced together. I broadened my horizon from watercolor to acrylics on canvas, as well as wooden furniture, then started creating my own cement candle vessels and painted on them as well. Everything I’ve put my palette knife or paintbrush to has turned out beautiful. Though every artist is their own worst critic, and I definitely fall into that mindset, thankfully others seem to think my art is amazing as well. I’ve been selling my work professionally for 6 years, have had canvases hung in local establishments, have sold and delivered Abstracts to numerous states, and have painted and sold 214 pieces (2 more sitting in my garage waiting to be done!) of furniture in the Southeast and have shipped my handcrafted candles to 19 different states.
Each piece is a full color palette. I use non-trending schemes and layers, always vivid, always bright, and always happy. People know that about my Art, they recognize it’s me in the work.
Because I will not boast in my own works, I attribute this talent and success to God giving me a nod for dealing with years of cruel hardship in a healthy way.
“The role of an Artist is to provide beauty to a world that isn’t always such.”
That is what I have done and what I will continue to do as long as my hands can hold a brush.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with was wrestling with myself to step out of the typical “farmhouse” box. I desperately wanted to create bold pieces of work and the first time I went for it, and created a vivid, drippy abstract piece, I hesitated for a long while before I shared it publicly. It sold, immediately, and I never looked back.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Operating under the alias The Swanky Blackbird, I use paint to make luxurious (swanky) and boho (blackbird) come together as one. My work is bold, eclectic, and outside of the box. I appeal to those who just need a pop of color or a large statement piece. Everything from hand-painted candles, to dressers and foyer tables, to 6-foot canvas abstracts.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m an abstract artist in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and sky-high inflation, what I offer is the most unnecessary thing anyone could ever purchase, yet I’m still moving pieces. I’ve worked hard and prayed for this. I’m not lucky, I’m blessed.
Pricing:
- Furniture refinishing $150-$3000
- Contemporary Abstracts $175-$1500
- Artisan candles $75-$85
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theswankyblackbird.com
- Instagram: @TheSwankyBlackbird
- Facebook: The Swanky Blackbird
- Other: www.swankycandlecollection.com
