Interview with Celine Michel
My name is Celine Michel. I am a figurative weaver ( Gobelin), and I live in the Netherlands. As a small child, I was already intrigued by a woven rug on my bedroom wall. I started making weavings eight years ago, based on oil paintings. I make these paintings myself based on photos of a friend of mine. As a child, I lived in Burkina Faso. I think the brown faces and the traditional dress of African women, but also the cheerful expression of life and the culture of Africa, demand attention. This is my main focus. Also, the work itself is like working on a dream because it is also my dream. It's also very soothing. Very zen.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
Weaving is like working on a dream. You dream while you are busy and even more so I want to put the hardworking and beautiful women from Africa in a positive light at the same time.
How do you start a new piece? Do you already have an idea in mind, or are you going to work with materials or sketches to find the starting point?
The basis of a weaving is the making of an oil painting from a photo. Usually the theme of African women is put in a certain light. If the color combination pleases me, I paint the scene and then make the full-size sketch of the final work.
When do you think your most productive time is of the day or week?
If I have taken a walk of one hour to a coffee shop in the morning, my day starts around 10 o'clock. With breaks I am busy around 5 hours a day. That's all there is to it because more puts too much strain on my back.
What is a barrier that you have overcome as an artist? Is there anything that has enabled you to develop your work as an artist in your life?
If I was promoting my work in a normal monthly recurring market, and 90% of the passing people did not take more than a glance at my work, I found that very disappointing. On the other hand, I have an ever-present man, who is often present in the background when I am busy, who gives me confidence to continue. Also, the meetings 1 x per month where we, as a small artists group, discuss our paintings that are the basis of my weavings, stimulate me to go further!
Did you have an idea from the beginning of what you wanted to create?
After a year of experimenting with the technique and the basics of weaving, including making flower scenes and then small portraits, I got a larger loom, where I immediately started with my clear statement for African women.
What is the meaning or creative inspiration for your work? We are curious what the story is of what you produce?
Besides the fact that weaving in itself gives me peace and balance, it is a processing of my feelings for Africa and a nod to my nanny from the time of my childhood. Furthermore, I would recommend it as an occupational therapy. It brings you into a state of clarity and creativity.
Besides your artworks, are there other things in life that your voice as an artist may find vital or valuable? What makes you happy and creative? In other words?
My works speak for themselves and besides something beautiful on the wall, it also helps you to get a more complete picture of rich Africa with its colors and culture and costume included! Furthermore, as a small note, I also make my own designs for clothing from my own felted rags and sometimes also applications of needle felt pricked on it. Sculpting from wood I have only just started experimenting with. I have the time, so why not? Not to mention teaching children with loom windows and adults with larger weaving frames gives me a lot of energy and vitality!
Are there any short-term exhibitions or places where people can see these beautiful creations life? Something on the horizon?
In Leiden, where I live, I will exhibit my works in "the blacksmith’s garden" in the months of May and June in 2022, and hopefully I will participate in ‘Africajarc’ again in August 2022 (an Africa festival in the village Cajarc in France).
