Creative Matters with Michelle Reid
EPISODE 29: Michelle Reid is a painter living in Riverhead, Auckland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Textile Design from Massey University in 2001 and worked in the textile industry for 8 years in both NZ and London.
In 2019 she gained a Postgraduate Diploma from Elam School of Fine Arts with Distinction - at the same time as raising her 2 young children.
An eclectic mix of written, visual, and intuitive information, inform her painting practise. Michelle is currently working with Romantic art theories, ideas of regrowth in the post-human ‘novel’
landscape, and reconnecting with pattern in painting. Michelle also draws much of her inspiration from American abstract expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler.
Michelle paints with oil on wood or reassembled canvas off-cuts, and watercolour on paper.
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Disobedient Patterns
Visual Research Paper Studies
Atmospheric Disquiet (Elam Art Show 2019)
Mentioned in this episode:
Agnes Martin
Josef Frank
Writers Tonino Griffero and Sabrina Orah Mark
Lee Ufan
Ukiyo-e (Japanese floating world)
Toi Poto mentorship programme
Brown School of Art
Really enjoyed this inspiring interview and the thoughtful insights into Michelle Reid’s creative journey. It’s always fascinating to learn how artists develop their ideas and transform inspiration into meaningful work. The discussion offers valuable encouragement for anyone exploring their own artistic path. For creative projects that need professional visuals, searching for a magazine illustrator near me can be a great way to connect with talented local artists and bring unique concepts to life.
This is a really inspiring episode, especially learning about Michelle Reid’s journey and how she balanced her artistic development with education and family life. From my experience as a student, I truly admire people who continue to grow creatively while managing multiple responsibilities, as it requires discipline and passion. At times, academic pressure can feel overwhelming, and I’ve even had thoughts like “take my gre exam for me,” but I’ve learned that real progress comes from persistence and personal effort. Michelle’s work shows how inspiration, theory, and lived experience can come together to create meaningful art, which is very motivating.