exhale interview: michelle pier

I am so honored to be able to share this interview, the first here on my blog, with writer-artist, Michelle Pier. I recently had the pleasure of working with Michelle and am eagerly anticipating a beautiful custom work of art that she created for me, which will soon grace the wall in writing studio.

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Working from her home in beautiful Guam, Michelle Pier offers custom created Aura Art – energetic expressions of the person for whom she paints. She also shares articles and essays on topics related to natural birth and parenting via her website. 

ebg: How did you come to do the work you are doing?

mp:  While unemployed and on public assistance, I was determined to do things that I love to do. What has always been a hobby and a passion has just evolved into a way of being. My art is my therapy. It is a joy to share the love that goes in and comes out of each piece!

ebg: How many hours a week do you (typically) focus on your art? 
mp: It varies from week to week. Some weeks I get on a roll, and can’t stop! I will spend an average of two hours a day sometimes when I’m in a groove, and that will last several days. Little house cooking or cleaning gets done in that time! Other weeks, I may only work on one painting, or none if I’ve gotten caught up in other endeavors such as writing, or general life stuff.

ebg: Do you have a dedicated office/studio? What does it look/feel like? Is it in-home, out-of-home, multipurpose/shared etc. 
mp: I usually work on my kitchen table. My living space is very small, so I don’t have a designated studio, though I plan on clearing out the garage and attempting to transform it into our family’s creative expression room. I actually love working on my kitchen table, because it forces me to clean the kitchen first so I am in a nice clean and fresh workspace. Also, I can see whatever my kids are doing and give them a hand when they need it.

ebg: Can you tell me about your family?
mp: Currently, it is just my two active little boys and I staying in the downstairs apartment of my grandmother’s home. My family has lived on Guam since before WWII, and I am proud to share a heritage with others in such a culture-rich place. I consider all beings that I encounter to be “family” and cherish all forms of community that come into our lives.

ebg: What forms does child-minding take in your family?

mp: At the moment the boys stay at home with me, and are sometimes cared for by extended family, and of course, their father. I have considered daycare many times, but it has not happened as of yet. I am trying to remain open to all possibilities and just go with the flow and what works in the moment. I do hope to arrange some kind of consistent in-home childcare soon though, especially as the boys are getting a bit older and I am craving some serious alone time!

ebg: What forms does education take in your family?

mp: I have not come to a decision in this area. Right now, we seem to follow a living and learning style of education. Some may call it unschooling, but for us, it is just the way we live. Education for us comes in the form of relating to people, observing and experimenting with nature, food, art, etc., and exploring our environment. By following what we desire, we learn by default. When we are inspired to actively seek out knowledge, then we do it, but not because we think we need to.

ebg: In what ways did you nurture your spirit, or “return to center” in the early months/years of parenting? In what ways do you do so now? 
mp: Well in the early days, I wish I had a lot more self-nurturing practice under my belt! There was a tendency for me to put myself last, and to be a martyr in a sense. I think my main sources of centering were walks outside, showers, and escaping in a book or on the Internet. These days, centering comes in the form of meditation, art, playing outside in nature, laughter – this is a big one for me (even if I have to force the laughter at first)!

ebg: What books, magazines, websites (or other resources) do you turn to for inspiration? 

mp: Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn, Natural Life Magazine, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Energy Medicine by Donna Eden & David Feinstein, and Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Shanley have all been great sources of inspiration in my life. This list could go on forever, but those stand out in my mind. Generally, books that have unconditional love as the underlying message, as well as honoring the interconnectedness of all of us in this universe, appeal to the reader in me.

ebg: What advice would you share with others who dream of starting their own business (or writing their own book…or moving to another country…or buying land to farm etc.)? 

mp: Start by doing what you love to do, and stay on that path. What you love to do can change many times over, and that is okay. As our desires and passions evolve, so do the gifts we bring to the table. Take what you perceive to be challenges, setbacks, obstacles or problems, and see them as positive opportunities to make changes to your unique journey. Embrace all that you are, and all that you have to offer, and the money will follow. Know that you are already wealthy, no matter what your circumstances. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
 

Thank you Michelle for sharing your time with me

and for sharing your gifts with the world!