NiM:       Tell us about your creative process

MAP: From the day I picked up a pencil, there was a certain kind of magic to the feel I experienced with the pencil being in my hand. I don’t like painting, nor pens or other mediums. I suppose being a person that has always been fascinated with people and how they work or think, the human form in itself is so complex. And there’s no better word than that to explain me or my creative process.

NiM: What advice would you give aspiring artists?

MAP: Feel it. Whatever it is you’re doing, it’s YOURS. Nobody can take it away or make you do it in a different way. There’s no right or wrong in art. Own yourself through your art.

NiM: What has been your most satisfying creation to date?

MAP: Ooh that is definitely a tough one… Every single piece of art has great sentimental and emotional connection to it. If I HAD to pick – the GB Screaming one I guess… Nooo…. Wait. Lelaans’ Birthday…. hmmm. It’s mean to make me pick LOL it’s like picking a favourite child for a mother LOL

Michelle Adelle Pienaar

NiM: What initiated your career in art?

MAP: The magic in emotion and paper put together…

NiM: Did you study art or is it an innate ability that you perused?

MAP: All self-taught. Suppose it’s like people that can write poetry, or novels… I draw as my form of language…? If that makes sense? Where some people drink to de-stress, or eat nice foodies, I choose to draw. I feel “worthy” doing it because nobody has the right to tell me I should be doing it different. It’s MY way, nobody else’s.

NiM: Your work has a very specific style; tell us more about it

It’s MY way, nobody else’s. I haven’t ever had anybody tell me how to do it. So if I can say it very truthfully it’s very untouched/naive by the “world way” of doing it. And thats how I like it. Uninfluenced. Either you like it, or you don’t like it at all. Your choice. I’m fine with either.

NiM: What is your favourite quote and why?

MAP: “every emotion is an expression of your beauty” don’t remember where i heard or read it…. was many moons ago – but it stuck. Flaw is perfection, and with every little emotion you experience in the course of your life, wether it be good or bad, it makes you YOU and that as a whole is beautiful.

NiM:Do you remember the first time you put pencil to paper? Tell us more about it

MAP: Besides from Biology illustrations of cells, leaves, organs etc in school, the first actual art i did by inspiration was a black horse on a lined piece of paper from a notepad i had for school. My step mother had hundreds of books on horses because she used to race, train and jump horses back in the United States where she’s from. Then I drew a boy i saw on a Mr Price ad if I remember correctly… I was 12 or 13…? Thus the fascination with the human form… I still have it today. I was soooo chuffed with myself LOL

NiM:Was there or is there; a specific person / role model that initially ignited your passion for art?

MAP: Oh yes! I get mocked till this day because of it, but even presently he is still the most inspiring figure EVER. Like red wine, he gets better with age. Mr Gary Barlow. I swear, I drew EVERY SINGLE picture I could lay my hands on of him. CD covers, centerfold photos, newspaper clippings. No matter how small they were, I would draw them bigger to fit on A4. Then with time i got A3 size books and that was just heaven! I am still yet to manifest my inspiration with Jake Gyllenhaal though…LOL.

NiM: Who is your favourite modern artist and why?

Michelle Adelle Pienaar

MAP: Call me crazy, but i don’t really have one. There’s sooo many artists that are BRILLIANT in what they do, and every single one of them are different. So it’s really tough to establish a final favorite … I will have to be biased then and go with my ex-boss Linda Smal who did all the Ina Paarman things, and the other one is Ingrid Lombard. She is gifted that lady!!!

NiM:Which from the following is your favourite and why? Portraits, wildlife; still life; buildings; nudes; landscapes etc.

MAP: Ooooh… It will have to be a toss-up between nudes and portraits….. Now being older, I would lean more towards nudes… The human figure is just beautiful. And unique every time.

NiM: How would you describe your client base?

MAP: LOL very different. I hate to use this word, but it does apply: Genre.

NiM: What is your opinion of the art industry in South Africa?

MAP: Very very talented indeed! Surely I’ll be shot for saying this, but usually the best talent are hidden away or not that well known, and I wish people would give them a chance to fully develop their potential. Nothing like home grown

NiM: Is art your full time occupation or do you supplement it with another?

I am a primary school tennis coach by day  ;-) LOVE working with kids, was always my dream, and I decided to ditch the stress of design studios and focus more on kids. Now I study Psychotherapy and Counselling ( Psychology) part time, and also do illustrations and design freelance. I am a very happy girl yes.

NiM: What started your career?

MAP: Personally my dislike of how mean people get when they are under stress… Art is supposed to be something special, but once money gets involved, it’s no longer a piece of art, it’s forced. So now I am able to keep it as art, and not “monied”

NiM: And finally; true to the core of Nearly Illicit Magazine and all that it stands for; our trademark question – What is the most “Nearly Illicit” thing that you have ever done? (Don’t worry your secret is safe with us!)

MAP: LOL oh well, I kissed a girl!

You can find Michelle’s work on our online store; Devilishly Saintful Fashion | Art Gallery

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