This is a long, talking video, so feel free to listen to it like a podcast! Try this next: Why I STOPPED Painting for 10 Years (and why you never should!) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r7KndrR9vrWulZ8.html

Thank you Michele, I waited until I was 62 yo and retired before attempting to develop as an artist, and of course at 66 yo now I’m far from remotely considering myself as an artist, until one of my teacher recently called me an emerging artist, what an incredible compliment. I’m painting almost every day now, pandemic or not...

Michele...You, my dear, have my greatest respect!! I am 68 years old and I would love to quit my job and have my art support me... I am on my own and though my adult children love my art, they feel it is a “hobby”... so I don’t get much support... You have given me hope!

"He wanted me to give up art, so I gave him up". OMG you are awesome

Thank you so much for sharing your story. When you told us about your Mom secretly buying your paintings I was so touched. I started crying. You are inspiring to me. I am in my 50s as well. I want to sell my art online so this video really was right on time

Thanks for your honesty. I’ve recently begun my “last profession,” my art journey, and have had good feedback from teachers and mentors. I do need to move beyond thinking I’m not good enough. It’s not something easy to do. I so want to move past that wall, but I just can’t climb over it. But this - painting in the later part of my life, I’m 61 - is giving me a sense of freedom and a “what the heck” tickle in my mind I’ve got to scratch. The old phrase “s*** or get off the pot” is truer as every day passes, tic toc, tic toc. I’m enjoying it and terrified of it at the same time. But, tic toc ... Thanks again 🌺

Michelle, thank you for sharing the rest of your story (your journey so far…). I am, like many other viewers, now in my 60s and coming back round to my love for art. I, too, grew up in a setting in which several possibilities never even occurred to me early in my life. I became a nurse, which was one of two career options before me. After a 40+ year career and many advanced degrees, I’ve now returned to art. I’ve found such joy and rest for my spirit. I do have to earn an income, so I work part-time. Thank you so much for sharing your talents and gift for teaching!

And I would like to add that it was very helpful to know that you did this inspite of not being supported by anyone, because I find a lot of artists who've done well are at least supported by their family and I therefore had the wrong impression that one can't really do it without any sort of support... Well done! 😁

One hell of a video that Michele, and I enjoyed every minute of it. You go girl, and show the world what talent really is. A great deal of sound, honest advice for those looking to make a successful business out of art. Well done you 👍and congratulations on making a successful business, out of a tough and chaotic situation. Sincere best wishes for the future. Aud xxx 💕

There's SO much information here. You actually talk far faster than I can hear or absorb it. But I get the idea and you're a very brave person. I need to go think about this and apply it somehow because everything I have taken in makes such good sense.

Dear heart ~ What a great story and such a lovely storyteller you are! You are multi-talented, to say the least! When you venture to the U.S. I hope you’ll come here to San Jose, California ~ got a guest-house with a pool ready + 2 cats💁🏼‍♀️

Thank you Michelle, this is a very valuable video for anyone with talent, and the will to stick to what they are truly interested in, I am sure there are an awful lot of people out there who can identify with your position at the start, and sympathise with the sheer frustration of tuition and advice from so called experts who turn out to be very limited, and restricted to a 'normal pattern' of response. I was a late developer, simply because it took me a while to find someone prepared to teach me my chosen subject in a way I could understand, absorb, and appreciate, after that I did wonder what took me so long !

I watched every single minute and thank you for your honesty and authenticity. As I have posted before, I take notes from your tutorials and have learned so much. I have been thinking about an art instruction workshop “vacation” somewhere in Europe and would jump at the chance to attend yours if you decide to launch one!

Thank you for outlining both the obstacles and the solutions that you made work for you, objectively yet with a personal touch. Lots for me to think about, especially how to get involved in the arts community where I live for a start. Your advice concerning treating one's own work as a business is invaluable as well, and I hope many others will heed this. I'm very encouraged for the long-term - thanks again!

Thank you so much for giving me some insight into one convoluted path to success. You've inspired me to take a hard look at where I want to go with my art. You are amazing!

I concur you need to learn from someone you click with..also my family has a motto study what you love......🎨😷👩‍🎨

Bless your mum for purchasing your work on the sly! 💕 That’s so precious.

This was so encouraging!!! Thank you so much for having the courage to tell your story in order to help launch those of us who have the desire but not the knowledge. ❤

Charming, motivated, intelligent, thoughtful...... and your getting haters? Strange world eh? Thanks for sharing your story....

Thank you for this video. You really show what determination is all about. It may also grow with difficulties but it may also wither. My story is very different. I grew with a very creative family. Dad an architect and mom with no education, dyslexic (pronounced stupid), but the most creative person I know. We were always encouraged to draw and paint. My dad used to bring home old copies of drawings that we could use. He always bought materials for me, watercolor mostly, and made me promise never to quit painting for a long period as it is hard to start again. Anyway a career as an artist was not encouraged. I ended up an architect but never really felt at home with it. Always kept painting and got a bit sold here and there. Painting is what I love doing and I think myself quite good. The business side of it is lost on me so I struggle to make it financially. It would probably pay off to pay someone to help with that.

Wow!! I know this is from 2 years ago, and I’ve been a subscriber for over a year, but I just ran across this video! Couldn’t be more perfect timing. I’m a registered nurse, and have serious back problems from caring for patients. I had a 2-part spinal fusion surgery last week, have been unable to work even remotely, for over a year. My disability will run out in June '24, and if it's even approved, the pittance I'd get from social security, is not enough to keep a roof over my head, much less the other bills. I want to make a living as an artist, and you're the first artist on KZfaq I've run across to be this honest about the struggles, when one has no rich family or other support, to keep them up till they get established. You gave me hope today, Michelle, while I'm lying here in bed in terrible pain, on a day I truly needed a jolt of hope.

You are BRILLIANT! 🥰I’m so happy for your well deserved success! 🎊You, as well as Frank Halliday (another lovely English KZfaq artist/teacher) will never know just how much you helped me through this pandemic. I was having a melt down. I was new at watercolor and pretty much clueless and panic stricken when starting a new painting. Lol. Anyway, I’ve learned a lot from you both and I’m very thankful and grateful for you both. Wishing you continued success in all you tackle. I’m a huge fan🥰💕🐶💕😷🥰

Wow that’s great & your story gives me inspiration to keep doing what I enjoy doing. You give hard but honest examples from your perspective & experience of your journey with painting in the real world that shows that if you want to give professional painting a go, you can do it with hard work, practice, and determination. It is not going to be easy all the time but it will definitely be satisfying in the end. I definitely hope you get a chance to come to America to teach sometime. I too would love to go abroad to learn how to do to painting workshop in the future. Thanks for sharing this positive video of your journey with us.

Malta! Yes, please. I loved my trip to Malta. The people were so friendly. The architecture! The scenery! The mind-boggling amount of history. Such a beautiful country. Also I have to mention I had the best orange juice I've ever tasted in Valleta. Stupid expensive but so worth it. I would love to attend a painting workshop in Malta with you, Michele. 😊

Thank you Michele for inspiring me to become an artist! 🎨 ❤️

Thank you for sharing. I love your honesty and tenacious integrity!

I so enjoyed listening to this beautiful fairytale-type story; it just made me so happy. I haven’t seen many of your videos yet so it was a surprise to have this chance to get to know You a bit (quite a bit too !). I can relate to the earlier situation You found yourself in. I am SO HAPPY You decided not to let anyone get in the way anymore and was literally relieved when You said You’d dumped that guy who said You wouldn’t be able to teach. The whole story is just lovely (and very well told) and I am just so glad for You.. Please don’t mind if I say a huge ‘WELL DONE’ . I really appreciate your teaching through the videos.

Wow, thank you for sharing, I can relate to some of your story, there is hope for me yet. I just wish I had made different choices years ago. I'm now 57 and don't have a foot in door yet, but I'm not going to allow the past to ruin my future. I have something to offer and I've got rid of those in my life that bring me down. From past experiences I too don't trust people, this will be my biggest struggle. Ha, so they wanted you to do work you didn't like or enjoy for someone you don't like while making your boss richer... That in itself sound irresponsible to me! Good on you for sticking to what you love! And I agree 100%, give up the men! lol You're certainly an inspiration Michele. Thanks again x

Thank you for sharing your story ~ gives us hope 💕

Dearest Michele: I've been watching your videos for a few months now and find them all so informative and I've already learned so much from you but this one is in my top 10 favorites. Yesterday, I watched "Why I Stopped Painting for 10 Years" and it was a bit heart-breaking and totally relatable as I experienced some of the educational woes as you did. The academics versus trades/working class battle waged here in Canada as well. I remember the hours sitting in front of a typewriter, clicking fff space, jjj space, ddd space, and on and on. They were going to make me a secretary come hell or high water. I just finished this video today, listening to it as a podcast but plan to watch it again to take notes. I had a very short stint at oil painting decades ago and quit for various reasons and only just took up the 'hobby' up again as I recently became unemployed and hoping to make this a side-hustle. Like you, I fell in love with watercolors as it is such a beautiful medium but I definitely need training. I've been floundering a bit going off in different directions trying to find that magic bullet that will make me an overnight success, knowing that there really are no shortcuts. I can't say enough how much help your videos have been. Not only do you teach painting techniques, you deliver solid truths about the whole process. I am afraid I will need to find a job soon as, although I am at retirement age, I can't afford to retire and rely solely on my talent. But I'm certainly going to pursue it as a second career and hope it is a long one. Thank you so much for your hard work and I promise to become a patron as soon as I get back to work. 🙂 I am sure I speak for many who appreciate what you put online for free. Cheers and stay well in these trying times.

Thank you so much for never giving up. People love keeping others down as you already know. Great Video!

Last year I was going to join the artists' guild in the next little town over so I could network and get into their shows and I was going to enter an open show at a regional arts organization in the larger metropolitan area. So that didn't happen. But I've been using the time to develop my skills more and I'm hoping things get back to something like normal soon.

I cannot thank you enough for this video and sharing your story. I was confused and stuck. Now I feel like I can get moving again. You are awesome.

Thank you! My story is almost the match to yours. Until I finally stopped listening to other people,and listening to my heart. At 60,I now have my paper mache art in a gallery and people are asking to buy my watercolors. Covid-19 brought me back to watercolor and it was artists,like you, with your generosity in sharing your skills and stories that have made it possible. Thank you so very much.

I love watching your videos every day. You are a great artist and teacher. God bless you🙏

Thank you for having the willingness to share this. I appreciate it

Bless you Michele! You are an inspiration and deserve your success. Thank you for sharing your journey. 🌹🌹

BRAVO! Well done you! Thank you for being brave and sharing your story. May your success be limitless! BIG LOVE! 💗 ( I am Maltese 😍)

Best advice ever! If the man says you should give up art, give up the man.

Wonderful inspirational video. Congrats on your resilience & your resolve. Well done you!

Thank God for Mothers!!

Thanks Michele! This was really eye opening!!!

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ❤ information. It is very helpful and positive. 👍🌈💐

I so enjoy your videos, Michele! And these last 2 were wonderful - thank you sharing your pain, and gain. I've always loved watercolour but only recently picked up a brush again. I work on the assumption that anyone can be an artist if we put in the time to practice. 😁 Best wishes from a fan in New Zealand.

Thank you for sharing your story, Michele💕😊💗

Anybody who would throw shade on this story would be out their minds...so glad i found this channel!!❤

This is one of the most inspiring things I've listened to for ages. You're a lovely person.

At 5 minutes into the video: just the willingness to put yourself out here deserves nothing but thankfulness! This is social media at its best! ❤️🤗

So proud of you Michelle ☺️... You worked very hard for the love of 🎭🎨... I have soooo much respect in you... I'm a go getter too and that's what it takes... The Lord says, " Don't give up I'm with you."

Thank you for sharing Michele!

You present with incredible grace and sincerity. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story. I am a single mother and I lost my job due to seizures that came out of nowhere. I feel as though I am failing them, but ultimately they have full bellies, are very healthy and happy. I am looking to recreate my definition of success. I have always had a wonderful eye for color and used to practice art years and years ago. I have really fallen off the wagon. Trying very hard to find my spark again. Listening to your character traits, I am much the same. I love pastel but have been playing with watercolors. I used to be very good at it all that time ago, but your videos are so very helpful. You are just fabulous. That God for making you so kind as to share so many wonderful videos that actually teach skill. Thank you for existing!!

You are so amazing. You share yourself and your art with us; which is great. I haven't had time, or made time for art in over a month. Thank you so much for all you do.

I’m so happy to find you! I literally cried. I want you to know that I think that you are a wonderful teacher. I’ve actually learned a few basic techniques with things like finding the correct perspective as well as dimension. I can’t draw. I’ve been trying to paint with watercolor for about a year and haven’t gotten very far. Most people on YT are teaching to “use this brush and make this stroke and if you do it enough you’ll have a beautiful painting of a bouquet of flowers. For someone like me, I like to know why I’m doing this stroke with this particular brush and all the things in between. You teach those things and explain them in such a straightforward way. The British way I suppose. Always very charming but to the point. Im like that but without the charm and cool accent. Lol. However, the most important thing you teach is that one can learn. You don’t have to be born with it. And today’s video also encourages those who don’t necessarily want to conform to other’s opinions. Thank you so much! You are wonderful! I’m going to take some of your classes as well! I wish you all the best! Come visit us in the US soon!

Brilliant, reams of ideas and food for thought, you’re so kind in sharing your experience, can’t thank you enough..

Congratulations for pulling yourself out of the tricky situations you were in - and thank you for making clear that life as an artist is as much hard work as it is fun, as long as it’s the right job for you.

Wow...can relate to a large amount of you and your daughter's life. Retire now and about to become a grandmother. Enjoy drawing but now I am enjoying learning from artists, like you. Thank you for your down to earth tutorials. Keep it up!

Why do so many people persist at telling people that they shouldn't be artists? Knowing many professional artists I just don't understand it. If you are intensely creative then surely it has to be one of the most rewarding and meaningful jobs that there is.

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm sure I'm not alone in cheering you for your bravery (Stubbornness!) and wishing you all future success.

So nice to hear you in a sharing in an open and conversational way Michelle ✨ Can relate to so much. Great advice 👍🏼 Thanks so much and nice to meet you 👋🏼

I've done the same thing twice I became a painter/cartoonist first before I had an accident that resulted in a head injury then became a full time tattoo artist, I've now started painting again signs pinstripes murals cars, It's hard starting out but art it's a great way to make a living.

Freelance journalist here -- I get it. Your approach to your job and your story is amazing!

What a journey. What a hard worker. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much! This video is very helpful and inspiring. I appreciate that you went ahead and shined light on the obstacles and blowback that came as you have pursued your development as a professional and as an artist. Even more than that, hearing how you reacted to the obstacles and blowback, especially as you are self, and independently, taught has lightened my heart and my day!

I am so glad I watched this video Michele. You have shown so much tenacity through your working life. I started out as a VDU Operator too! Thank you for all the insights you have given about work in the field of art. You are very engaging to watch and to listen to. I don't know how many years it will take me to become a professional artist but I am willing to put my heart and soul into it. 😊

Thank you for sharing your incredible journey - brave and inspiring!

this is exactly what i needed right now. i appreciate you and your content so much!

I suspect, from the number of comments, that there have been considerably more than three people who have made it through to the end of this video. You are one determined lady. I am very glad you put in the effort to learn to be successful on this platform. It gives me, and so many other people, the opportunity to learn from you.

"I listened to myself that nothing can ever stop me now." 💖 Thank you so much Michele for sharing your success story, it's such an inspiration and encouragement to finally resolve within one's self to become what your inner self has always been designed by the Creator to be. Please never apologize for having to make a long video if you need to and if it makes you feel so much better in telling your story. It's not anyone else's business actually if you do so or not😊. Either way, I appreciate that by just being you, you're bringing so much value to other aspiring artists and I for one am here (from the other side of the world and I don't know how I got here from a few months ago) because your teaching style and how you come across the screen resonate with how I want to learn and be inspired by ✨. I've also just learned that your 'sport' is one of my few favourite 'sport' too and I also went into it as a mature student😊! Thank you for sharing your courage in your art & life. Long live & God bless you💖!

Thank you Michelle, I loved to listen to your journey. I'm a bit like you, lost my house, cant get work for 8yrs no matter how much I tried and have turned to the only thing I can slightly afford is my painting. I wouldn't call myself a professional artist as I'm still learning, I did open an Etsy but haven't sold anything. Still trying to find myself. Painting gives me a focus in a hopeless situation. Thank you again, love your channel. God bless x

Love your story, Michelle! I live near Atlanta, GA - if you decide to do a workshop near me, I would definitely attend!

Thank you for your bravery and honesty. Your a great artist and teacher. I've learnt so much from watching your videos. I'm in my 70's always loved, doing art, and learning has been a life saver during Covid. God bless and all the best

Lovely artist, lovely voice, lovely work. I've listened to several of your videos and look forward to the rest.

you are such an inspiration! I applaud you for being courageous, positive and doing the right thing! Thank you for sharing your journey. I listened to every bit of it and love it all. I wish you much happiness

I love your channel. So glad you went back to painting!

I love hearing about your journey! Great advice and delivered beautifully. I bet one of your followers from the States would be happy to help you set up a venue here for a class. I know the US would value your teaching skills and LOVE your personality !

Wow Michelle, you are a confident and brave woman. It's empowering to listen to you. Thank you for sharing your story 👏❤👍

Thanks for sharing

You are a great artist and a great inspiration. I want to watch all your videos and learn with you. Thanks!

That was actually really interesting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks Michele ❤

I loved hearing your story

Thank you so much Michele, that was truly inspirational! You have certainly opened my eyes and showed me not to ever give up, and to follow your passion. Thank you so much. I wish you all the very best for the future.

Thank you for sharing from your heart and experience ❤ Many Kudos to you for making it!!!! You're a great artist and teacher/mentor

An inspirational talk Michelle. I admire your dogedness and belief in yourself to succeed.

Thx for sharing your story, this is a great example of " belief in yourself and only regret things you didn't try" ❤️

Thank you so much for sharing your life's story. It's encouraging for me and many others I'm sure.

I enjoyed every minute of your inspirational talk. Good on you! I thought the color mixing samples would be such a good idea. That’s exactly what I could use. God Bless.

I am so sorry for how the men have treated you. I would never have had the courage to show my paintings to anyone - acctually they are therapy for me. Then my man looked at my paintings and told me "honey, theese are really good! You need to start selling theese". He is truly my biggest fan, and he compliments me on all the paintings I do.

thank you so much for sharing so much of your private life. it is so helpful and makes me strong to never give up. your video really touched my heart. i found so many parallels to my own life. you can really be proud of the woman you are.

Michelle, Sending you loads of love.

Thank you Michelle I'm so glad you made videos you are eloquent, elegant and speak well explaining the art life with honesty and truth. I needed to hear this message to help me. I want to be a fulltime artist I'm tired of deadend jobs and toxic work environments .

Your so inspiring my hat is off to you don't ever stop what your doing Michelle my farther made 22 million in 15 months on one business venture. I've not been as successful I was told at school I was rubbish at art but you and a few others have inspired me...... That's what I said don't give up mad but very true you will get failed attempts but just keep at it and sometimes it's just the person's we meat on the way..... Thank you so much for being so honist and brave too...

Thank you for your inpiring video. I'm going to take your tips into consideration. Greetngs from Poland!

What an inspiration and what a story. Thank you for sharing your life journey. You are brave tenacious courageous and beautiful. I wish you all the very best and look forward to the next instalment 🥰

You are wonderful! Thank you for explaining about formal education from the state. Perfect message for young people who don’t fit in with the norm. Follow your own path! Trust yourself!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience. You are Brave!

WOW! What a video! I’m in awe of you! You are very inspirational. I love you video’s. 😘

This is soooo helpful. Thank you so much for generously sharing your story with us.

Hi Michelle, thank you very much for sharing your story with us, I found it so interesting. I have often wondered if I could make art my full time job and it’s my own insecurities which stop me constantly telling myself I’m not good enough and I have no idea where to start with pricing etc. So, if you could do a video on pricing your artwork, that would be really good as well. Something exciting happened while I was watching your video - I was contacted by a parent of a friend who is a published author and asked me to paint the front cover of his next book! 😃. Maybe I should take that as a sign to do something about becoming an artist after all! Thanks again and good luck in the future

Loved your story, thanks for sharing ❤️