Wow Cecil, perfect timing for me to read your positive and direct message for us artists to embrace our own uniqueness.
This week I have been struggling with rewriting my Artist Bio and statement. I have always hated doing this. Why is it so hard to share, explain, speak, write about “The Who I am and Why” I do what I do? I went on a day long dive looking at other artists bios and statements that left me feeling so under achieved in comparison based on the volume of works by year these artists accomplished.
Then I got so ( pardon my language) pissed off at myself. I had to go look in the mirror after standing in front of works and say “ Girl! You have been a successfully commissioned artist for 20 years. You know you have all the tools and curiosity to get in your space and just do whatever the heck you want!”
I’m renouncing the bad mouthing and you and all of the artists that follow you are my witness. Thank You!!!!
Well, You have to remember why you were looking at other artists bios - to get a feel for what you should say about yourself. But, of course, you are not going to say what any of them said, it was just for context. The problem was, you started comparing apples to oranges and oranges to blueberries and it made you bananas. That wasn't your purpose.
I just used Google AI to write your bio and it came up with this in 2 seconds:
Michelle Stroescu is an American contemporary fine artist and award-winning colorist known for her dynamic abstract paintings, landscapes, and mixed-media works. After a highly successful 20-year career as a senior executive in the fashion industry, she transitioned into full-time fine art, where she blends complex color theory with emotional, nature-inspired storytelling.
Today, her highly sought-after pieces reside in prominent public, corporate, and private art collections across the United States.
Artistic Philosophy and Style
Stroescu describes her creative process as a reflection of emotional responses and memories sparked by the natural world. Her work explores themes of escape, sentimentality, and transformation. She builds her canvases using a variety of experimental mediums, including:
Acrylics and oils
Encaustic (heated beeswax) on wood panels
Mixed-media collage using imported papers and texturing techniques
Background and Fashion Roots
Before establishing herself in the fine art community, Stroescu spent nearly two decades as a veteran of the fashion industry, serving as Vice President of Product Development and Design. This extensive experience in predicting global textile patterns, color trends, and aesthetics deeply informs her approach to the canvas.
Her profound mastery of color was globally recognized when she won second prize in an international competition hosted by the Pantone Color Institute, judged by executive director Leatrice Eiseman.
Stroescu later studied directly under Eiseman, and from 2010 to 2013, she shared her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor of Color Theory and Design Principles at Dallas College El Centro Campus.
Notable Commissions and Public Displays
Originally raised in North Carolina and Tennessee, Stroescu spent over 23 years based in Dallas before relocating to a countryside studio in West Georgetown, Texas. Her career features numerous high-profile placements:
The Bachelor Commission:
In 2013, television host Chris Harrison commissioned Stroescu to create "Deep in the Heart," a custom abstract interpretation of his home state of Texas.
Television Set Design:
Her abstract painting "Tsunami" was selected by ABC Studios set designers to feature prominently in the television pilot Broken, starring Anna Paquin.
Healthcare & Municipal Collections:
Her painting "Drenched" was permanently acquired by the Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Waxahachie.
In recent years, her solo exhibition "Alchemy" was chosen for public display at Georgetown City Hall.
Philanthropy:
She actively participates in charity art events, such as the Infinite Possibility silent auction benefiting Women for Women International.
You can view portfolios of her past work on her official gallery website, Modern Muse (https://modernmuse.net/), or follow her current studio updates and works-in-progress on Instagram @modmuse.
......
Only you would know what you would tweek on that bio but it sound pretty darn good to me!
The problem is, when you live a heroic life on a daily basis, it just seems like ordinary day to day life. The person who becomes a hero to others doesn't get to experience what others see from afar that makes them seem heroic. Like I have said, when the baseball player Babe Ruth became a heroic celebrity for hitting home runs, it was just another swing of the bat for him. So that is something to consider. Anyway, Yes! no more negative self-flagellation. Us artists are too sensitive and delicate to beat up on ourselves like that.
Yes I did that bio in AI mode on google and my prompt was give me a bio on the artist ( your name and your web address). So maybe by saying artist that helped shaped the response.
Cecil, wow…just wow. Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I mean I know it’s all info found from the web AI pulled from across the years of my being active on the web and I don’t know why I didn’t think to take a stab at using it that way. I am truly grateful for your exercise and reminding me of my journey and how this “artist” got to where she is now. My chatting w Chatster didn’t do as thorough of a bio / statement as yours so now you have given me a great template to tweak. If I could I’d give you a big ole southern style hug of gratitude.
So much to think about here........I love it! My mind appreciates the stimulation of what you write and ask. I stopped comparing my work to other artists and only compete with myself........that is if I can fall deeply in love with a piece I'm working on as much or more than the last piece or any others that preceded that. And there are those times when I'm in the conception mode of creating a piece where I fantasize having no limits to how I want it to go......like a blink of an eye or a wiggle of the nose I can just materialize exactly what I'm visualizing.......I suppose if I had a huge studio and unlimited funds for the tools to make exactly what I see in my mind's eye.......but then.......there's something that I really love to do and that is in appreciating my limits, finding the creative engineering and ulterior options to make what I need to make. And by embracing those challenges, there's a profound feeling of accomplishing something way better than if I merely had the magic to just pop something into existence. The magic fantasies are fun but the more satisfying feelings of searching for how I can actually do something is the best.
Which is why I learned that for me, Less is More..........that came when I fantasized driving an 18-wheeler across the country to buy tons of quality junk for my assemblages......limits of junk has taught me to find ways to stretch my imagination using the limited stuff I have and find.
Wow Cecil, perfect timing for me to read your positive and direct message for us artists to embrace our own uniqueness.
This week I have been struggling with rewriting my Artist Bio and statement. I have always hated doing this. Why is it so hard to share, explain, speak, write about “The Who I am and Why” I do what I do? I went on a day long dive looking at other artists bios and statements that left me feeling so under achieved in comparison based on the volume of works by year these artists accomplished.
Then I got so ( pardon my language) pissed off at myself. I had to go look in the mirror after standing in front of works and say “ Girl! You have been a successfully commissioned artist for 20 years. You know you have all the tools and curiosity to get in your space and just do whatever the heck you want!”
I’m renouncing the bad mouthing and you and all of the artists that follow you are my witness. Thank You!!!!
Plus I did a collage recently and due to your posts I want to do more!
Thanks for writing Michelle!
Well, You have to remember why you were looking at other artists bios - to get a feel for what you should say about yourself. But, of course, you are not going to say what any of them said, it was just for context. The problem was, you started comparing apples to oranges and oranges to blueberries and it made you bananas. That wasn't your purpose.
I just used Google AI to write your bio and it came up with this in 2 seconds:
Michelle Stroescu is an American contemporary fine artist and award-winning colorist known for her dynamic abstract paintings, landscapes, and mixed-media works. After a highly successful 20-year career as a senior executive in the fashion industry, she transitioned into full-time fine art, where she blends complex color theory with emotional, nature-inspired storytelling.
Today, her highly sought-after pieces reside in prominent public, corporate, and private art collections across the United States.
Artistic Philosophy and Style
Stroescu describes her creative process as a reflection of emotional responses and memories sparked by the natural world. Her work explores themes of escape, sentimentality, and transformation. She builds her canvases using a variety of experimental mediums, including:
Acrylics and oils
Encaustic (heated beeswax) on wood panels
Mixed-media collage using imported papers and texturing techniques
Background and Fashion Roots
Before establishing herself in the fine art community, Stroescu spent nearly two decades as a veteran of the fashion industry, serving as Vice President of Product Development and Design. This extensive experience in predicting global textile patterns, color trends, and aesthetics deeply informs her approach to the canvas.
Her profound mastery of color was globally recognized when she won second prize in an international competition hosted by the Pantone Color Institute, judged by executive director Leatrice Eiseman.
Stroescu later studied directly under Eiseman, and from 2010 to 2013, she shared her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor of Color Theory and Design Principles at Dallas College El Centro Campus.
Notable Commissions and Public Displays
Originally raised in North Carolina and Tennessee, Stroescu spent over 23 years based in Dallas before relocating to a countryside studio in West Georgetown, Texas. Her career features numerous high-profile placements:
The Bachelor Commission:
In 2013, television host Chris Harrison commissioned Stroescu to create "Deep in the Heart," a custom abstract interpretation of his home state of Texas.
Television Set Design:
Her abstract painting "Tsunami" was selected by ABC Studios set designers to feature prominently in the television pilot Broken, starring Anna Paquin.
Healthcare & Municipal Collections:
Her painting "Drenched" was permanently acquired by the Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Waxahachie.
In recent years, her solo exhibition "Alchemy" was chosen for public display at Georgetown City Hall.
Philanthropy:
She actively participates in charity art events, such as the Infinite Possibility silent auction benefiting Women for Women International.
You can view portfolios of her past work on her official gallery website, Modern Muse (https://modernmuse.net/), or follow her current studio updates and works-in-progress on Instagram @modmuse.
......
Only you would know what you would tweek on that bio but it sound pretty darn good to me!
The problem is, when you live a heroic life on a daily basis, it just seems like ordinary day to day life. The person who becomes a hero to others doesn't get to experience what others see from afar that makes them seem heroic. Like I have said, when the baseball player Babe Ruth became a heroic celebrity for hitting home runs, it was just another swing of the bat for him. So that is something to consider. Anyway, Yes! no more negative self-flagellation. Us artists are too sensitive and delicate to beat up on ourselves like that.
Yes I did that bio in AI mode on google and my prompt was give me a bio on the artist ( your name and your web address). So maybe by saying artist that helped shaped the response.
Glad you liked it!
Cecil, wow…just wow. Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I mean I know it’s all info found from the web AI pulled from across the years of my being active on the web and I don’t know why I didn’t think to take a stab at using it that way. I am truly grateful for your exercise and reminding me of my journey and how this “artist” got to where she is now. My chatting w Chatster didn’t do as thorough of a bio / statement as yours so now you have given me a great template to tweak. If I could I’d give you a big ole southern style hug of gratitude.
Please accept one across the air waves :)
Best Energy day in a long time!!!
Hi Cecil, thanks for the peptalk. I got a new idea while I was reading it.
Cool Steve. What is the new idea? (if you don't mind me asking)
I want to collage on pegboard and poke all the holes through. It might suck, but there’s only one way to find out.
Do 10 and then see what you come up with. Could be interesting! I can imagine a lot of possibilities.
So much to think about here........I love it! My mind appreciates the stimulation of what you write and ask. I stopped comparing my work to other artists and only compete with myself........that is if I can fall deeply in love with a piece I'm working on as much or more than the last piece or any others that preceded that. And there are those times when I'm in the conception mode of creating a piece where I fantasize having no limits to how I want it to go......like a blink of an eye or a wiggle of the nose I can just materialize exactly what I'm visualizing.......I suppose if I had a huge studio and unlimited funds for the tools to make exactly what I see in my mind's eye.......but then.......there's something that I really love to do and that is in appreciating my limits, finding the creative engineering and ulterior options to make what I need to make. And by embracing those challenges, there's a profound feeling of accomplishing something way better than if I merely had the magic to just pop something into existence. The magic fantasies are fun but the more satisfying feelings of searching for how I can actually do something is the best.
Disciplining one's self to happily work within limits - and we all have to - is a superpower for creative people.
Which is why I learned that for me, Less is More..........that came when I fantasized driving an 18-wheeler across the country to buy tons of quality junk for my assemblages......limits of junk has taught me to find ways to stretch my imagination using the limited stuff I have and find.
Wow, this was a great perspective. I really enjoy these posts and how thoughtful they always are. Thanks Cecil 🙏
Thank you Eric for reading and responding with such kind words. Good to hear from you!