A decade ago, Michelle had a vivid dream while dozing off at a coffee whop while on vacation. She woke up, wrote it down, and unknowingly began what would become a lifelong artistic commitment: The World of 2084.
This ambitious, interdisciplinary project imagines five futuristic nations and explores the consequences of environmental and cultural decisions made today. She builds her world through woodcut prints, books, animation, installations, and most recently, a new hybrid medium she calls “woodcut painting.”
Michelle’s work is imaginative and richly researched—but what impressed me the most in this conversation is her clarity of purpose and ability to stick with her vision over time.
This episode is about more than world-building or long-term projects. It’s about trusting your instincts, organizing your creative life with intention, and making peace with the fact that some projects will earn money while others exist purely to grow your practice.
Michelle also shares:
- How she plans 10 years into the future
- Her surprising transition from printmaker to painter
- Why she’s not afraid to revisit fascinations like fairy tales
- The question she asks herself before starting every new project
Whether you’ve ever dreamed of launching a long-haul project—or just want to know how to stay creatively engaged year after year—I think you’ll love hearing from Michelle.