Michaelin Otis is a nationally known artist, workshop leader, art show juror and author.
For the past five years, Michaelin has worked exclusively in collage, occasionally enhancing her art with charcoal. The artist chooses this demanding medium because of the creative expression collage affords.
"Collage is so expressive," Michaelin says. "It feels like sculpting instead of painting."
So committed is she to exploring the limits of the medium, Michaelin has started making her own papers to enhance her works. Each paper is made exclusively for the painting in progress, ensuring that no two of her paintings will ever be alike. "My collectors know that they have one-of-a-kind, time-intensive creations," the artist says.
Another benefit to the collector is that each one of Michaelin's collage painting are truly archival and will last well over 100 years without cracking or peeling. The artist achieves this result through hand-applying many painstaking layers of varnish and UV-protectant.
"Collage is so expressive," Michaelin says. "It feels like sculpting instead of painting."
So committed is she to exploring the limits of the medium, Michaelin has started making her own papers to enhance her works. Each paper is made exclusively for the painting in progress, ensuring that no two of her paintings will ever be alike. "My collectors know that they have one-of-a-kind, time-intensive creations," the artist says.
Another benefit to the collector is that each one of Michaelin's collage painting are truly archival and will last well over 100 years without cracking or peeling. The artist achieves this result through hand-applying many painstaking layers of varnish and UV-protectant.
Michaelin owned Avalon Arts, a gallery and teaching studio in White Bear Lake, MN for 18 years. Her well-received book, Watercolor for the Fun of It - Painting People, was published by North Light Books in 2005. She is a contributing author for Drawing and Painting People - The Essential Guide, and has illustrated 10 children's books. She has also won numerous awards in juried shows across the country, and has her signature membership in the Louisiana Watercolor Society, the Taos National Society of Watercolors and Artists Changing Tomorrow.