ARTIST:
Michelle “Shell” Rummel

DESCRIPTION:
In some circles, I am known for my organic and abstract paintings of trees and landscapes. But, a few years back I became enamored with another subject. Lines.

It is fair to say that I became obsessed. I painted them vertically, horizontally, skinny, thick, rigid and wavy. I painted them in acrylic and watercolor...some only tiny inch long vignettes and others up to four feet long. I sketched them with pencil and ink. I played with unusual color combinations. I dreamt the colors and images and each day became more and more inspired to paint.

Those that knew and loved me became...concerned. "What's with the Lines??" they asked. "I don’t get it!" they commented. "I miss your trees" said my young son. It seemed that everyone but me wished for my return to those trees.

With only my own quiet optimism, I decided to submit a Line painting into a competitive juried art exhibit. I titled it, NonLinear Discovery in honor of my journey outside my comfort zone. Can you imagine my face when I received the phone call saying I had won the Best In Show Urquhart Award? Can you imagine the faces of my doubters when I shared my news?! Oh yeah...that moment was really sweet. Needless to say, several new Line paintings emerged. This is one of those studies.

Who can say why that juror chose my painting? A non linear moment in time where my artistic vision resonated perfectly right with that particular viewer. I painted what I loved, and he loved what I painted. It's as simple and as complex as that.