Michigan-based artist and teacher Michelle Sider currently works
in watercolor, pastel, oil and glass mosaic, but she has been drawing and painting
for her entire life. She strives to recreate the joy and beauty she finds in
the world around her for the people who view her pieces.
Her work has been exhibited in galleries, art associations, art
fairs and libraries throughout southeastern and northern Michigan. Additionally,
she has a love for art education: She has taught figure drawing and sculpting,
animal drawings, still life, watercolor, pastel, oil, acrylic, polymer clay and
glass mosaic -- plus classes on composition, color and perspective -- to a wide
range of students during the past 20 years.
Michelle holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan and received
further artistic training at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and at
Wayne State University. Although she has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from
the University of Detroit, she has devoted her time and attention to her "first
love," art.
Michelle's current emphasis on Judaic art is a result of her personal
journey toward more spirituality, and many of her still life paintings reflect
positive feelings about Shabbat and Jewish festivals.
"Since the birth of my first child nine years ago, my family
and I have made Judaism a major focus in our lives," writes Michelle. "My
husband and I have taken many classes and continue to learn as much as we can
about our rich and varied heritage.
"Each of my three children attend a Jewish Day School, where
I have initiated a number of art projects... including an Aleph-Bet glass mosaic
and a burgeoning ceramics program," she continues. "I am currently
developing an art enrichment program at a private school and am planning another
mosaic project."
While Michelle's first ketubot were painted for family members,
she appreciates the opportunity to share her inspiration with others. "My
ketubot artwork allows me to harmonize my Jewish spirituality with my use of
rich, dynamic colors and images."
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