Meet Michele Utley Voigt | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michele Utley Voigt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michele, what principle do you value most?
The principal or value that matters most to me is authenticity, staying true to my unique vision and not giving into to trends. That requires filtering the market place noise and staying focused on my artistic mission and resisting the lure of immediate outcomes or rewards.

Why? Because authenticity distinguishes my artwork and sets my brand apart. It has defined my artistic path and professional career. It is how I ensure I stay dutiful to my creative purpose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art.

I paint stories of the human existence. Compelled by the strata of circumstance, choice, emotion and fate, combined with the energy and influence of the past as all conjoined lay prism to the future. The interconnectedness of all elements and time. What is seen and not seen. Known and not known. Contemporaneous, interacting, and incessantly influencing one another in a continuum of the past, present, and future. My works are the complex language of layering multiple levels of imagery representational of our complex existence. Through my process – I expose beauty that outlives barbarity and splendor that transcends tragedy.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others?

My art begins in my mind’s eye – I draft it through technology then tangibly create it in large format projects, oil paint or mixed media on canvas. Obsessed with multi dimensions, motion and light, I have developed a parallel line of NFTs and large digital presentations.

My works explore systemic female conditioning and align the subjects within that realm while embracing cultural icons.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My vision is the complex language of layering multiple levels of imagery representational of the complicated content of a consequence, condition, moment, notion or incident. The dialogue I consign contains all elements past and present, their atmosphere and the energy of all elements collective interacting with one another. My work foreshadows the continuum of the condition.

I paint to deliver a vision that others have not seen. I work to share what the human eye alone is incapable of seeing. Just as it takes a microscope to see microorganisms or a telescope to see the universe beyond Earth, my understanding offers as a lens or instrument that can illustrate the entirety of a situation.
What you are most proud of or excited about?

I am honored to be have an exclusive exhibition, entitled “Domestic Situation,” at The Gallery, Aston Martin Residences Miami. Domestic Situation is featured for two months as a three-dimensional immersive experience, replicating the residence’s physical art gallery being developed on the 52nd floor, and can now be viewed at www.astonmartinresidences.com/amrVirtual/index.html.

The Domestic Situation exhibit explores the systematic domestication of women, transcendentalism, and modernization of pragmatic feminism. These works gambol between the modern world through digital technology and the traditional world via oil paint on canvas applied using master’s techniques.

These large-scale paintings, NFTs, and digital presentations consider our modern caste system, aspirations for beauty, entrapment of desire, empowerment of luxury, and ultimate emancipation. The works explore systemic female conditioning and align the subjects within that realm while embracing cultural icons. The works explode with voyeuristic opportunities offering both the subject and the viewer moments steeped with escapism.

I am delighted to present “Aquasition” an original oil on canvas, for the Aston Martin Residences’ permanent collection – inspired by the residences’ sail-shaped architecture, stunning interiors, and exquisite vistas, a colorful creation that is as vibrant as Miami itself.

I am proud to be participating in the Art Miami Fairs – CONTEXT, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, and Art Wynwood and represented by Contemporary Art Projects, USA.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I have achieved this level professional success through perseverance and planning. I run my creative practice and art studio as a business. I set goals, allocate resources, and operate within a set budget. I plan and execute. There is no “waiting for inspiration”, art works are planned out many months prior to completion.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

Professional success in a creative venture takes grit, brand identity, and constant self-promotion.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

I’ve learned that if you invest with one good brand partner and or representation you will achieve more, with greater authenticity, than if you have many.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My success would not be possible without the support of my family. From the beginning, adopted and different, my parents fostered my art. At a financial sacrifice to my family, at age 5 in suburban Oklahoma, my mother got me a painting teacher. My father, an Army Colonel and engineer, conflicted by my purpose championed me. He bought me my first paint brushes, built frames, photographed and edited slides for my portfolio, and drove with me to Los Angeles at 17 years old for art school. He refused to pay a dime for art school and conversely helped me secure scholarships to every art institute in the country. Now my husband is my biggest fan, supporter, and partner. He helps facilitate my dreams and together, everything is possible.

Website: https://www.mauvisual.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele_utley_voigt/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleutleyvoigt/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Michele_Voigt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mauvisual

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_girlpainter