Art VISUAL Timeline: My Drawings and Paintings from 1976 to 2024, set to Ace Of Clouds

✨ A Journey Through Time: My Artistic Evolution ✨
From my first drawings at age 5 in 1976 to today in 2024, this visual timeline features 180 of my drawings and paintings over the years. Set to 1 second, each page reflects the evolution of my creative journey. Accompanied by my husband's original music, 'Ace of Clouds,' this video is a heartfelt tribute to a lifetime of art, passion, growth, and self-expression.
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Biography...
Michelle Flanagan, born in 1971 at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, emerged from a modest upbringing in East Texas to become an influential figure in the art world. Raised by a single mother after her parent's divorce when she was just eight, Flanagan's artistic journey began as soon as she could hold a crayon. Art ran in her blood; her birth father was skilled at drawing, seeding her intrinsic inclination toward the visual arts.
Educationally, Flanagan's trajectory was impressive. She completed her Associate in Arts degree in Art at Tyler Junior College in 1991, proceeded to graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Tyler in 1994, and earned 57 credits toward a Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art at the University of North Texas. During her time in graduate school, she showcased her work in a solo exhibition at Denton's Cora Stafford Gallery, UNT College of Visual Arts and Design. Her academic journey was punctuated by numerous honors and scholarships, a testament to her dedication and talent. Notably, an International Programs scholarship in 1993 allowed Flanagan to experience the rich artistic heritage of Florence and Rome firsthand, an experience that left an indelible mark on her creative consciousness.
Despite being on track to complete her MFA, Flanagan's path took an unexpected turn when alcoholism intervened, temporarily derailing her academic ambitions. Nevertheless, this period of turbulence fueled her art, infusing it with raw emotion and introspection. Her creative process, marked by varying moods and whimsical tastes, became an outlet for her personal struggles and triumphs, often manifesting in highly emotive self-portraits that serve as visual journal entries.
Flanagan's technique, honed through rigorous training and an insatiable curiosity, combines realism with a dynamic interplay of styles and approaches. This eclecticism sets her work apart, making it unmistakably hers. Themes of self-exploration and emotional transparency are woven throughout her pieces, reflecting the deeply personal nature of her artistic expression.
Her art has been celebrated in various exhibitions and recognized in publications such as "EGuide Tyler: Inside The Artist's Studio: Michelle Flanagan". Moreover, her talent has attracted prominent collectors, including the Mayor of Tyler, Texas, who owns several of her large-scale figurative paintings. Throughout her life, Flanagan has been praised for her technical prowess and creative ingenuity. She is inspired by Pablo Picasso, Willem de Kooning, and Francis Bacon.
Flanagan's artistic career is studded with notable projects that mark significant milestones. From winning childhood drawing contests to creating intricate family trees and filling sketchbooks with daily drawings, each project has contributed to her growth as an artist. Her works, such as "Jordan," a large-scale painting of her niece, and her "Flamingos" 3-D project, reveal her versatility and depth.
Outside the studio, Flanagan has maintained a rich and diverse life. She has been a nursery room sitter, babysitter, teaching intern, switchboard operator, pet sitter, house cleaner, and administrative assistant. These varied roles have informed her art, imbuing it with a sense of realism and relatability.
Michelle Flanagan, now 53, continues to create and inspire despite facing significant health challenges in recent years. Her art, a reflection of her resilience and creativity, remains a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression. As she regains her strength, Flanagan looks forward to future endeavors, always driven by her belief in the vital role of art in society. Her journey, marked by both struggle and triumph, exemplifies the enduring spirit of an artist committed to her craft and the relentless pursuit of self-expression.
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