5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Completely Lose Your Shit

We’ve all experienced it. Something comes up to throw us off track, fill us with anxiety, disappointment, frustration, or trigger us to completely “lose our shit.” When things eventually smooth out and we realize that we are fine and still breathing, we sometimes wonder why we freaked out in the first place. Over time I’ve learned …

Paintings Inspired by the Beautiful Flame Trees on Guam

I was recently inspired by the season of flame trees in full bloom here on Guam. Truly a sight to see, these vibrant red and orange flowers will demand your attention and invite your appreciation for such beauty. As I drove by a particularly amazing flame tree in Hagatna, I knew that it would be …

Latest Creation: Purple Tree Goddess

Catching a break between commission work, I decided to paint an image that has been marinating in my mind’s eye for some time now. The Purple Tree Goddess image is one the represents the rich strength of nature, and that the energy that runs through the trees is the same energy that runs through us. …

Making of Sirena: Mascot Sculpture for 2016 Electric Island Festival (EIF)

The 2016 Electric Island Festival commissioned me to create their event mascot sculpture, a mermaid, or “Sirena.” I recruited Addison Moyer to help me build an industrial style sculpture, consisting of mostly rebar and chicken wire.       

Handful of Smoke: Book Launch & Creative Showcase

Holly Rustick just released her book Handful of Smoke this summer, and I did live art at her launch party. Amanda Young and Myracly Mugol painted live alongside, while other local artists such as Amber Word, Robert Camacho and Claudia Clement displayed works for sale and for auction. Other features were a game of blackjack, …

FestPac is Here! Historical Moment for Guam & all Pacific Island Nations

Once every four years since 1972, a Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPac) is held in one of the 27 Pacific Island nations and territories, to celebrate culture and arts. It is a 2-week event intended to unify the Pacific region by sharing traditions. Thousands of visiting delegates and families, will head to Guam’s capital village …

Recreating Freedom: A Commission Painting Project

Awhile back I had painted a piece titled Freedom, and it eventually sold at one of my events. The buyer recently contacted me to commission two paintings just like it, except one would have more blues. Here is the first one, done in the likeness of the original. ETA: Blue piece has been finished and …

Black and White Divine Mother Commission Painting

The Divine Mother painting commissions continue! This one is especially unique because it is done in only black, white, and gold paint for a modern style finish for my client’s new office. This piece is a 16″x20″ acrylic on stretched canvas, and to follow are photos and videos of the painting process.

A Starfish Commission Painting in the Making!

Commission complete! A starfish was requested, now it’s time to sign, seal and deliver. This was a really fun piece. I got to play with my new palette knives to create that blended impasto look for the background. Metallic blue and gold were also used in this painting. 30″x30″ acrylic on stretched canvas.

Blouin ArtInfo Feature: From Welfare to Thriving Artist: Guam’s Michelle Pier on Becoming “Creative Indeed”

GUAM art on BLOUIN ARTINFO, whaat?! Huge thank you to Robert Michael Poole from Blouin Artinfo, top international art magazine, for writing up this article, and giving the world some awareness about Guam and my personal story of going from struggling to thriving artist! I’m so honored to be able to share, and to keep …

The Making of  a Golden Goddess Painting

Time for some sponge action to create a full-textured Golden Goddess painting commission, inspired by the original Life Force paintings I did a couple years back. This piece was commissioned through the Divine Mother fundraiser campaign to open my art studio. Here’s a play-by-play of the sponging action and close-ups on the textures.

Limited Edition Latte Stone Print Sold to Pete the Collector

The original, first Latte Stone painting that I’d done to start a project intending to create 100 Latte Stone paintings in 1 year. That was a couple years ago, and I’m not sure if I’ve reached 100. I have painted many latte stones though! I got in a special print on metal of this piece, …

Commission Painting Process & Story of a Moonlit Jungle Scene

So when I get a commission request, they often show up as an idea and it evolves from there. Here is the a recent request that I received for this almost-finished moonlit jungle painting: How are you?  We follow you on Instagram and love your paintings!  Our 11th wedding anniversary is in April so we …

A Pair of Unique Divine Mother Painting Commissions

The first set of commissioned Divine Mother paintings are just about finished, with maybe a few adjustments before they are released. They are each unique, one in similar likeness to the original, and one with a different look and feel. I wanted to incorporate the balance between grounded roots (and DNA), and outstretching light and spirit. …

Handful of Smoke Book Pre-Launch and Live Art

Holly Rustick is releasing her book Handful of Smoke this summer, and last night was the pre-launch mixer at Pika’s Cafe, where I did live art. It was cool to feel a book come to life with people acting out some of the scenes during the readings, and live art interpretations done by myself and …