i. I work as a server daylighting as a painter.

ii. I do this creative work:
Because I’ve tried moving away from painting many a times but always find my way back to it—I’m too old and lazy to make an attempt at reinventing myself again.

iii. Personal qualities that help me in my work are:
Honestly some of my worst characteristics as a human being. I can be reckless, stubborn, needlessly competitive, and prone to isolation. I don’t in any way wish to romanticize these traits, but I can’t ignore the fact that they have kept me driven.

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Six Sisters

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iv. The greatest challenges around doing this work are:
Not getting paint on your clothes and keeping yourself fed. Sometimes, I get too excited about certain projects, and put them before my own physiological needs.

v. Creative childhood hobbies include:
Drawing, digging for worms, and watching television. I know those last two things aren’t considered creative activities, but I really only alternated between those three things.

vi. Other creators who inspire you are:
Cy Twombly, Jennifer Rubell, Anne Carson, Shary Boyle, Lina Bo Bardi, Tehching Hsieh, Carrie Mae Weems, George Saunders, Aram Saroyan, Janine Antoni, and Young Thug.

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Carnivory
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Brides
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vii. Training that has helped me succeed in this career includes:
Having the privilege to attend an arts focused high school and study architecture in post- secondary.

viii. The biggest myth about this type of work is:
That painting is dead.

ix. If you want to work in my field, I suggest that you:
Learn to draw inspiration from as many different subjects and fields of study as you possibly can. Those who garner ideas from solely visual art produce boring work. Additionally, find people who will be honest with you in their critique.

Apparitions in a Crowd

x. A professional goal I have for the future is:
To be able to support myself solely on my artwork.

xi. If you want to see my work, go to:
My debut show at Bau-Xi Gallery from September 9th to the 23rd or my work can be found online at https://bau-xi.com/collections/michelle-nguyen

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