“My intention was to create a body of work that allowed me to reflect on my experiences as a healthcare worker/artist; but most importantly I wanted to leave a lot of space in the pieces so that viewers could relate and see themselves or their unique experiences in the work”

Michelle Marin is a Toronto-based emerging artist who creates portraits and thoughtful, intimate still lifes. As an art student, she specialized in fibre arts which included one course in embroidery. Following her fine arts degree, she studied Gerontology. While working in long term care homes after graduations, her two worlds would converge. It was here that she came to realize the familiar language of embroidery for people from all walks of life. With formal training in material art, design, and drawing, she began integrate embroidery with painting using thread and yarn on linen canvas.

All works are hand embroidered with a variety of knitting yarns/embroidery threads and painted with acrylic. She stitches and paint on an easel and uses her watercolour sketches as guides. Michelle states that her work is a very cathartic process, always beginning from a place of tension and ending when all the colours and materials "sing" in harmony.

Michelle assigns symbolism to everyday objects; cups represent people, flowers the fragility of life and books an individual or shared interest. The familiarity of these objects facilitates a connection with the audience; combined with the textiles used they can convey sense of comfort and empathy.

In these early stages of her artistic career Michelle's unique work and process have already caught the attention art show jurors; she has received special mentions and awarded highly competitive artist grants.

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Shedding What No Longer Serves Us Detail 4.jpg

In this series of portraits, Michelle explores who and what makes a home. The subjects include older adults and essential healthcare workers living and working in long term care homes. Her intention is to illuminate the humanity of her sitters through art and craft techniques. She hand-sews, needle felts and paints with colorful yarn, wool roving, polymer clay, fuse beads and acrylic paint on linen canvas.

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