Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle.
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In retrospect, unlike many artists, I never thought I could actually become one. I didn’t grow up with a grand plan or a clear vision of what I wanted to do. Looking back, I think my story really started with people.
I actually learned to draw because of a fashion contest. I spent hours copying the same fashion silhouette over and over in hopes of winning tickets to a Miley Cyrus concert. Later, I learned anatomy by studying comic book artists, I have always been a huge comic book fan. For a long time, I thought the only way to “make it” as an artist was to work for a big animation studio or a comic book publisher.
That perspective completely changed when I had the incredible luck of surrounding myself with artists from every discipline imaginable, painters, filmmakers, photographers, designers, musicians, people I’m now lucky enough to call my friends. They taught me that creativity isn’t reserved for a select few. I genuinely believe there’s an artist in every one of us, and that art is something deeply collective. We all wrestle with similar doubts, chase the same spark of inspiration, influence one another, and grow together.
For years, I was making art without fully calling myself an artist. Ironically, everything started changing the moment I embraced that identity. Once I stopped waiting for permission and simply started sharing my work, synchronicities began happening. Opportunities appeared because I was putting myself out there. Every project introduced me to new people, new places, and new ideas.
Through art, I discovered Miami in a completely different way. I’ve found myself painting at museums, cultural institutions, fashion events, weddings, and places I never imagined I’d be. More importantly, I’ve met some of the most inspiring people through creative work.
For a while, I still believed I had to choose one path, to commit to a single style or fit into one category. But the artists around me showed me the opposite. They taught me that every interest becomes part of your creative language. My love for fashion, comics, design, storytelling, live events, and illustration doesn’t compete, it all coexists and shapes the way I create.
Today, my work is less about fitting into a label and more about creating experiences that make people feel something. Whether I’m painting live, illustrating, teaching, or collaborating with others, I’m always learning, experimenting, and refining my own voice. To me, taste isn’t just aesthetics, it’s identity. It’s having the confidence to say something that’s authentically yours, and trusting that the right people will connect with it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think big dreams ask for a version of yourself that doesn’t exist yet. Becoming that person has probably been the hardest part of my journey.
Building a creative career has meant countless hours of practice, studying, failing, and starting over. I wanted my sketches to become quicker, my lines more confident, and my ideas easier to communicate. Most of that work happened just dreaming in my room, long before anyone noticed.
I’m also an immigrant, building my life and career away from my family. There have been moments of loneliness, uncertainty, financial stress, and wondering whether I was asking too much of myself. There were times when I lost people, outgrew relationships, or had to let go of versions of my life that no longer aligned with the future I wanted. Growth can be exciting, but it can also be painful.
The beautiful surprise has been discovering that I was never truly alone. The art community embraced me in ways I never expected. The artists I admire became my friends, my collaborators, my support system, and, in many ways, my family here in Miami. Art gave me not only a career, but also a sense of belonging.
Looking back, I wouldn’t erase the difficult moments because they shaped the life I’m living today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Ilustrator and live event artist specializing in live portraits. I sketch people on the spot at weddings, museums, fashion events, brand activations, and cultural spaces, creating personalized artwork they can take home as a memory. I also create fashion illustrations, commissions, paintings and personal projects inspired by music, real life experiences, comics and anything that sparks my soul at the moment.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands like Ferragamo and at events such as the FIFA Club World Cup after-party, thanks to Vilbet Studio and its founder, my friend Juanita Villegas. She has believed in me and my work from the very beginning, often before I believed in myself, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and confidence she’s given me throughout my journey.
Turning something as simple as a portrait into an experience it’s somenthing that im very proud of. Watching people gather around the drawing, seeing their reactions, and creating a genuine connection through art is my favorite part of what I do.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Whenever someone asks me, “How do I become an artist?” my answer is always the same: you already are.
Call yourself an artist. Embrace that identity. If you constantly feel the urge to create, if your mind is full of ideas, and if you keep making things even when no one is watching, that’s a calling worth listening to.
At the same time, don’t romanticize the craft. Art takes an incredible amount of study and practice. Talent is wonderful, but no one is born with the skills. Like any sport or discipline, you get better by showing up consistently, staying curious, and putting in the hours.
Most importantly, don’t wait for permission. Share your work, keep learning, and trust that every piece you create is helping you become the artist you’re meant to be.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on the scope of the project. Please reach out through my website or social media for a custom quote.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michivice/
