It is election season and we’ve all seen (and are probably tired of) the ‘get out the vote? TV ads telling Michigan voters why this candidate sucks or why you shouldn’t vote for so-and-so.
Here’s one campaign you can get behind and feel good about. Clarkston resident Vanessa Myers, 35, is vying to be Michigan’s next ‘Great Artist? and she needs your vote to make it happen.
‘My art has a fun, cheery quality and is all about moving and entertaining the eye, and making seemingly ordinary objects into something shiny and special,? the mother of two said.
Myers entered the MI Great Artist competition, started by Independence Township resident and Oakland County Executive Director L. Brooks Patterson. The competition ‘encourages creativity? for residents of Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Shiawassee or St. Clair. According to the competition website, artists uploaded up to five works for public voting. The top 20 vote earners will have their art judged by a five-member jury of art professionals, who will whittle the field to five finalists. The MI Great Artist winner will be determined by a combination of jury score and public vote.
And, this is where Clarkston voters come in — individuals can vote once a day from now through October 30 by going to www.MiGreatArtist.com and clicking on the VOTE tab. Use the search button and enter Vanessa Myers. Then vote!
Myers considers herself a multi-media artist. ‘Everything I use is reclaimed — I don’t want to buy anything,? she joked. ‘I like to walk downtown (Clarkston) and find things to use.?
She has found and used old bike parts, things that fall off cars, little ‘slips of paper with notes on them,? and shiny things. Those items are taken and placed on her work bench for when needed. She likes to use pictures from old books or movie posters, old maps, snap shots or napkins, straws, fuzz balls, even old, discarded schematics have a place with her.
‘It’s all very organic. When I start I sort of go on auto pilot — I just know where everything goes,? she said. ‘Some of the different pieces may mean something to me, something from my youth, or places I have been.?
Her art is very energetic and has movement. Whimsical at times, even if she is using dark colors.
‘I just like making people smile. That’s what I do. There are no hidden symbols. What I do with my art is light and happy.?
Myers is involved in the local art scene, helping promote art to the community. She often participates in ‘Free Art Fridays? in downtown Clarkston.
‘It’s a world-wide movement,? she said. ‘They do it in Detroit, London and Paris. The idea is to take away the stigma that art is only for the rich. Art is for everyone. Art is for enjoyment.?
Myers and other local artists place their art around town for people to find and enjoy — and keep.
‘It is great to give away,? she said. ‘I give away my art. I love for people to have my stuff and that it makes them happy when they look at it.?
She believes the Clarkston area has many talented artists, ‘but they are never recognized. I don’t think Clarkston is recognized as an art city. But, I think it should.?
The photos on this page don’t represent Myers? art — the colors and shadows. To get a better understanding, please visit the website. (And then vote early and vote often!)