Q&A with local artist Michelle Cornelius

WASILLA — Michelle Cornelius’ artwork is currently featured in the Bearpaw River Brewing Company’s taproom.

Cornelius mingled with the public Friday evening to showcase over a dozen unique paintings. Her work will remain on display throughout the month of August.

Cornelius enjoys oil painting and describes her art as light hearted” and almost exclusively depicts animals that are often in cute or humorous scenes.

Her paintings often showcase an Alaskan charm with images like ravens eating fries in the McDonald’s parking lot or black bear behind an outhouse.

Below is a question and answer interview with Cornelius.

What do you think of Bearpaw’s monthly artists showcase?

“I’ve shown here 3 times. It’s a pretty good venue. For my hard work, it is… For one thing the lighting’s good.. It’s an appropriate art gallery and people here are easy to get along with. And it’s nice to have a drink and look at it. They don’t necessarily have to buy just to look at it and enjoy it.”

How long have you been making art?“I’ve been making art since I was little. I started oil painting since about 2007… I think most people are artists until they’re about 12 years old… I just kept going with it.”

What are your favorite mediums?“I like oil. I like soft pastel and charcoal. I like charcoal because it keeps drawing fresh; and that’s the foundation of a good painting, good drawing skills.”

So you really seem to prefer painting animals right?“I can do human portraits and all that but I prefer animals,” she said with a laugh.

What’s it feel like when you’re in the middle of creating something?“Time goes away. It’s like a puzzle. Sometimes I sit down and I go, ‘I can’t believe I just sat here for four hours.’ It’s one of the rewards of painting… It’s kind of like a ‘have to.’ You’re thinking of what’s gonna go into it, what color is it gonna be.”

How do you usually sell your art?“I’ve done murals and I’ve done some projects for the community… At first it was kind of selling it to friends now it’s like I sell everything I’m making… Stephan Fine Arts, that’s my gallery in Anchorage. I do online sales and do a couple local markets.”

How important are opportunities like this Bearpaw venue for local artists to get their name out there?“It’s great to always get your stuff out there, and it’s inspirational to get you to paint before the show sometimes.”

What are some local ways less an experienced artist can get into an artform or hobby?“To me, it’s just going and getting the supplies reading up on what you want to do. There’s lots of videos especially now because of covid… One of my favorite art groups right now has gotta be the Valley Arts Alliance... Carmen’s great and she’s a pretty good leader. She’s very permissive and supportive… You can pick up and learn a lot of things [being in a group like that].”

What’s the biggest takeaway from making art all these years and how would you use that to encourage budding artists or people who just want a way to express their creativity?“Get together with other people and do art... do as many workshops as you can. Paint often and be routine with it. Paint daily I guess how about that? Don’t spend too much time on anything. Just move on. It’s like making a promise to yourself to make your art. It’s like taking a bubble bath. It’s something you do for yourself.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com