Biography
Michaela Moffett is a visual artist from Fullerton, California and has been formally pursuing art for almost 18 years. Under the instruction of Cherene Raphael, Michaela graduated from the Art House, an independent studio in Fullerton, CA, after attending a consecutive 10 years. Since then, she has studied drawing and painting as well as a variety of other mediums at California State University, Fullerton. In addition, Michaela had the opportunity to study one year at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. During her time in school, Michaela turned from a more traditional approach of oil painting, to broadening her skills in experimenting with textures and mixing materials with embroidery and sewing. This interest in combining and trying these unconventional fine art materials stemmed from her broad background in travel, having visited 15 countries, where she encountered many different types of textiles. Common themes in her artwork have been centered around particular global issues that have been shaped by her experiences abroad and her own family history. Post graduation, Michaela has continued to develop her love of painting through teaching and through her own studio work. Returning slightly to the traditional sense of painting, Michaela is interested in understanding how to bridge the gap between traditional and representational ideas of painting, and the the new modern and abstract ideas of conceptual work.
Statement
When home found itself to be quite frequently dysfunctional, drawing, coloring, and painting was my home. I would even consume my time collecting National Geographic magazines, history books, and experiences to take me places far away from home. A curiosity, the feeling of entrapment, and an appetite for freedom and investigation has always imbedded itself in my soul that inevitably emerges in my passion for painting new places and people.
Despite the subject matter, what moves me uncontrollably is color: to interpret color, find patterns, capture light falling over surfaces, and to create space through color relationships. Color became a voice and a language that I never felt like I had before. Through mixing, testing, shifting, and finally, feeling absolute satisfaction when a piece of color fits impeccably, the process of interpreting color excites me as if I were piecing together a puzzle. At times, when my environment felt stagnant and paralyzing, painting has served as a way to control, manipulate and process my perspective of ugly conditions and finding resilience.
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
The Art House | 2002-2013
Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence Italy | 2016-2017
California State University, Fullerton | BFA Drawing and Painting | 2013 - 2019
Work:
Art instructor at Art Steps Studio, Yorba Linda, CA I 2018 - present
Exhibition History:
April 2017 - California State University, Florence “Arte Per Arte” Florence, Italy.
January 2018 - Share and Do Good “Fullerton Art Walk” Fullerton, CA.
April 2018 - Eastside Christian Church “Art and Music Night” Anaheim, CA.
August 2018 - Eastside Christian Church “Art and Music Night” Anaheim, CA.
October 2018 - Magoski Arts Colony “Art for Peacemaking” Fullerton, CA.
November 2018 - California State University, Fullerton “President’s Gallery Show” Fullerton, CA.
February 2020 - The Nest Cafe/Gallery "Sneakers" Bellflower, CA
February 2020 - The Nest Cafe/Gallery "Toys" Bellflower, CA
March 2020 - Old Town Placentia - Old Town Art Show, Placentia
September 2020 - Fullerton Museum Center - "FMC and ME" Fullerton, CA
Public Collections:
Behind the Fence. California State University, Fullerton President’s Office. Fullerton, CA. Donated 2018.
Still Death. California State University, Fullerton President’s Office. Fullerton, CA. Donated 2018.
Rush Hour. Fullerton Museum Center. Fullerton, CA. Donated 2020.
