Toronto-based artist Michelle Vella is known for her colorful big eye portrayals of pop culture icons. Since childhood, she’s always been considered a talented artist. After graduating with a Fine Arts BA, the starving artist stigma didn't sit well with Vella so she made a choice to pursue art-related careers (and some not so related) instead. In the end, this allowed her to develop skills in sales, marketing, and business.
After 10 years of running her graphic design business, Michelle knew it was time to make a career change. At 50 she decided to pursue art full-time. Just as she began to doubt her decision, an email came through that confirmed her career choice and catapulted her pop art success.
In this episode, Nada sits down with Michelle to discuss how Instagram launched her career as an artist gaining the attention of Diane von Furstenberg, W Magazine, and British Vogue.
Michelle gives tried and true advice about growing your social media following, the importance of IRL engagement with your community, and developing an identifiable point of view. She also shares the mantra that helps her not to dwell on the negative and keep moving forward.
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What is LIBERTY ROAD with Nada Jones ?
Pursuing your future doesn’t end at 40, in fact, it may mark the beginning of knowing who you are, what you’re capable of and what you really want. But knowing what’s next and how to get there can be a challenge—especially when old narratives play on repeat. I’ve come to believe that the best way to understand your possibilities is in hearing from others—what they have done and how they have done it.
LIBERTY ROAD is here to share stories so that you can consider your possibilities, pursue your purpose and move into your future with intention.