We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Lum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic career because it’s just who I am, how I was created to be. Being an artist is not easy nor is it straightforward, but I do it because it’s how God made me. I have worked in a few different fields, and I love trying new things, but coming back to art is always like coming home. There is this wonderful joy and excitement I get when inspiration strikes for a new artwork. Creating work, even the ones that are laborious and complicated, always gives me a sense of peace. You have to love what you do. If you are passionate about your work, it will give you motivation to go a lot further than work you are indifferent about. For me, meeting people who connect deeply with my art makes it worth it. I usually do not know who they are when I make the work, but finding them (sometimes even years later) is one of the great privileges of being an artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work has grown a lot over the past year and my current practice is predominantly focused on installations, although I make sculptures and other kinds of work too. How everyday objects interact with light and space fascinate me; this has been a common thread in my recent work. I make work from objects and experiences that inspire me to see the world in a new light. Some of the materials I have been using recently include: cellophane, tape, and metal leaf.

Currently I am a graduate student at Claremont Graduate University and am working as an art minister at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. In my work as a minister I get to make art with our community alongside other things I enjoy, such as singing and teaching. As an MFA student I am developing my practice much further than I could do on my own, learning about the art world while also discovering more of my own artistic voice. When I think about how I got here, I have to give the credit to God. Both pursuing art as a career and using it in ministry has been a dream of mine for several years, and while I have worked hard to make things happen, the actual impetus for these things coming to be didn’t come from me. Other people might call it luck or happenstance, but I do believe that God provides these opportunities when he knows it is best for us. You probably can already tell, but for me, artmaking and faith are intertwined. I never know what I am going to make next. I make what I am most inspired to in the moment, and I trust that God will give me inspiration for the next piece when the time comes. Not being able to plan ahead does make me nervous, but it is also exhilarating to see God provide. So far, he hasn’t failed me yet!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much to see in LA and Orange County, but some highlights for me include LACMA, the Getty, Crystal Cove, and Disneyland. Renato’s in Westminster and Porto’s Bakery are great places to eat. And if you like donuts, Sidecar Donuts has the best ones I have had. Those are my “sightseeing” list of things to do, but if you are looking for more community-oriented places, Saddleback Visual Arts at Saddleback Church is a wonderful place to meet local creatives. And my church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Dana Point also started an art ministry last year. If you are looking for an art community you are welcome to come!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that have shaped who I am today, for this though I’d like to highlight the current and past art communities in my life: Saddleback Visual Arts, and my peers and professors at Biola University and at Claremont Graduate University. These communities have encouraged me and challenged me to keep going in my art practice. It’s amazing to have someone believe in you and in the work you do; it gives you confidence to keep going and try new things. I have been blessed to find people like that in several places, but particularly in Saddleback Visual Arts. I came to this art ministry in college when I was just starting out, and the encouragement and support I found at this community was overwhelming. My time there gave me the confidence to start calling myself an artist; several of my closest friends are from this community. I am also grateful for the people who have given me honest feedback. You never really know how your artwork will be interpreted by others, but having people in your life who will share their raw responses to your work is such a gift. The conversations and critiques I had at Biola and Claremont Graduate University are some of my fondest memories of those places. Some of the things my professors and peers have said still stick with me today.

Website: michellelum.com

Instagram: @michelle.lum

Image Credits
Michelle Lum

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