Meet Michelle Rusinek | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Rusinek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, how do you think about risk?
Last summer, I took what has been the biggest risk in my life thus far – I left the corporate art world (and a steady job) to pursue my art career full-time. I studied art at the University of Michigan, and went on to spend six years working at an auction house. I was consistently painting on the side, during my free time, but, deep down, my goal was to turn my love for making art into my full-time career. I went over the numbers countless times, attempting to figure out how many artworks I would need to sell (and at what prices) in order to sustain myself, but what really gave me the confidence to make this decision was believing in the concept of, “the greater the risk, the higher the return”.

I can’t think of anything more important than pursuing a passion and doing the thing every day that gives me energy. Taking risks leads to true happiness, even if the path doesn’t seem to be linear or if, at times, I feel I might need to take a step back in order to take another step forward.

As an artist, I often feel the desire to explore new ideas and concepts. I am consistently trying to change my approach or mindset, even if something might be “working” on the surface. This sort of exploration happens on a daily basis and requires taking the time and sometimes even investing in a material that I might not end up using. However, it is important to take even the smallest risks each and every day in order to really dig deep and move forward.

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.
I would like to think that I paint based on how I see the world around me and how my brain processes imagery. My paintings are fragmented, and I typically start by making collages using old magazines and whatever images I can find that speak to me. I think of collaging as a way of sketching out my ideas for larger artworks. I disassociate my mind from what the physical object is, and instead, I think about the layers of colors and shapes that make up the object. I consider the relationship between colors, shapes, and textures. For me, this way of thinking is meditative, and when I completely forget about what is going on outside of my studio and in my own head, I make my best work.

I have recently started incorporating a significant amount of white/negative space into my work. This has been a mental challenge for me, as I used to feel the need to fill up every inch of my canvas. This shift in my work has naturally led me to working with new materials such as metal, and I have been thinking of my paintings as 3D objects for the first time. It is always challenging to take that next step and introduce a material that I have never worked with before, but I see this as an important risk that I need to take on my journey. Generally speaking, no matter how many sketches I make or how many tests I do with various mediums, I can never fully plan my larger works. Instead, I strive to give each artwork what it needs to be its truest self.

I am always working on 10-20 pieces at a time. Jumping around is another mental challenge for me that I have been incorporating into my practice. I previously had a tendency to fixate on a specific area of a painting (I am sure any Virgos reading this can relate), but focusing less on creating a perfect area has allowed me to become much more fluid and forward-thinking. When I have an idea or a thought, I always write it down. I have a million notebooks – both physical and digital, and I would rather not write on lines. It’s all about the free-flow for me and I think my artwork reflects that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Although I am new to Miami, I have been coming here for years and I certainly have racked up some favorite spots along the way. I love outdoor activities and exploring nature, so my ideal itinerary would definitely include a walk along the ocean on the boardwalk. My favorite area is the northern-most point in Bal Harbour/Surfside. This is how I start my day almost every day – breathing in the fresh ocean air is so invigorating. Josh’s Deli in Surfside is a favorite for lunch, and it is not far from the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami.

There are countless amazing museums and galleries in Miami (especially in Little River and Little Haiti). The Rubell Museum has been a favorite museum of mine for a long time, and, while I have yet to try Leku Restaurant at the Rubell, it is high on my list! I always love Mandolin Agean Bistro for lunch or dinner in the Design District, which is another fabulous neighborhood to explore. For any yogis visiting, I highly recommend Ahana. I would be remiss not to mention a Sunday visit to the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, which has quickly become a weekly staple for my husband and me since moving to Miami. Afterwards, we like to venture over to Coconut Grove for lunch at either Krüs or Chug’s Diner.

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?
Bruce Dorfman, Artist and Educator at the very historic Art Students League of New York in Manhattan, has been a tremendous mentor and source of wisdom since I met him in 2015. I feel as though one of the most important pillars of support are other artists who connect with your work (and vice versa), and Bruce has given me fuel to become a better painter along the way.

Website: https://www.michellerusinek.com/

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rusinek-6583b6a0