COSHOCTON − Michelle Teater’s artistic journey began at the age of 15 with her first oil painting, that sparked a lifelong love of creativity. Though the demands of work and family life led her to set her brushes aside for a time, she picked up her paints again just last year. Teater rediscovered her artistic voice with renewed inspiration, fueled largely by the natural world around her.
Teater has been named the Coshocton Art Guild’s Artist of the Month for July. Her oil and acrylic paintings and photography are on display and available for purchase at the guild’s Tollhouse Gallery and Gift Shop in Roscoe Village.
“The sky, trees, distant landscapes…I’m always taking pictures so I can recreate what I see,” she shared.
Her favorite subjects are landscapes, celestial scenes and the quiet poetry found in nature’s textures and colors. Recently, she’s been experimenting with abstract art, enjoying the freedom of movement and personal expression that comes with it.
“I love the way color speaks,” she said.
While oil remains her preferred medium, practicality has nudged her toward acrylics and she looks forward to exploring watercolors in the future. Her creative influences include the joyful and approachable style of Bob Ross, host of the TV show “The Joy of Painting” who believed art should be simple, healing and accessible to everyone.
Teater, who is an accounting clerk by day, credits the Coshocton Art Guild with rekindling her confidence.
“The guild welcomes all artists, no matter the style or medium. It’s been such a blessing to be part of this beautiful group of people,” she said.
Kim Gress is the president of the Coshocton Art Guild.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Michelle Teater rediscovers her passion for painting and is inspired by nature
Reporting by Kim Gress, Special to the Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
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