Interview with
Michele Bonelli
Artist and General Manager of PaintCan Studios
Michele Bonelli
Artist and General Manager of PaintCan Studios
Michele's Studio Space at PaintCan Studios
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Michele Bonelli is an accomplished artist as well as president and general manager of PaintCan Studios. She received her BA in studio art from Fordham University and an MFA from City College of New York (CCNY). Her paintings are a marriage of geometric and non-geometric forms, vibrant colors and a lack of precise focal point – encouraging the viewer to never pause too long on one section of the painting. Her series titled “Urban Abstracts” is a response to 9/11 - she wanted to recreate her city. She has exhibited in many renowned galleries throughout the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere. Her series “Another Look at Alice” received widespread praise.
In addition to all of her responsibilities as general manager of PaintCan Studios, Michele is a board member of the New York Society of Women Artists (NYSWA) and president of the Manhattan branch of the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW). |
"While the imagery of Bonelli’s paintings are intended two-dimensional microcosms of sights, sounds, and rhythms governing an array of subject matter from landscapes to still life expressed in the abstract, they are at their core an ongoing examination and exploration of the principles of the making of 20th Century Abstract Art. The paintings are the product of a synthesis of styles as expressed visually in the contemporary traditions of Pop Art, which evolved from Cubism. What is derived from this process is not about the experience of making art, but rather what comes out of the experience." ~ Metropolitan Artists, a nonprofit organization
Urban Abstracts phase 1: Drawing Study for 40X40 oil on linen
© Michele Bonelli |
Urban Abstracts phase 3: Drawing Study for a 40X40 oil on linen
© Michele Bonelli |
Partial Artist Statement:
"I view the making of “art” as a journey, a learning experience in which the artist is continually striving to better understand his craft and the principles of picture making. For me, it is an ongoing assimilation of the relevant art that came before, in order to move forward. It is a journey in discovering one’s own unique and personal vision of art, a vision used for the construction of the two-dimensional picture plane in which a select lexicon of colors, shapes and patterns dictates space."
"I view the making of “art” as a journey, a learning experience in which the artist is continually striving to better understand his craft and the principles of picture making. For me, it is an ongoing assimilation of the relevant art that came before, in order to move forward. It is a journey in discovering one’s own unique and personal vision of art, a vision used for the construction of the two-dimensional picture plane in which a select lexicon of colors, shapes and patterns dictates space."
About PaintCan Studios:
PaintCan Studios is located at 10-10 44th Ave. in Long Island City, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is part of a growing artists' community there. Artists at PaintCan work in a variety of media and enjoy spacious studios as well as a shared common space with a sitting area and kitchen. The studios are located on the 3rd and 4th floors. The artists there participate in exhibitions and open studio events.
PaintCan Studios is located at 10-10 44th Ave. in Long Island City, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is part of a growing artists' community there. Artists at PaintCan work in a variety of media and enjoy spacious studios as well as a shared common space with a sitting area and kitchen. The studios are located on the 3rd and 4th floors. The artists there participate in exhibitions and open studio events.
Myrna Haskell, managing editor, visited Michele at PaintCan Studios to talk about this incredible space and to view some of her beautiful work.
Talk to me about this studio space. I’ve heard you designed it.
The original PaintCan studios was in northern Long Island City and was 3,500 square feet. This larger space is one I designed. I gave all of my drawings to an architect to finish off…but they were mostly done, and the drawing you see here (Michele shows me some of her original drawings) is pretty much exactly as the space is now, except for some changes to a bathroom to accommodate ADA regulations.
You wouldn’t believe it now, but this was an old factory in horrible condition when I first saw it. The windows were completely green. If the lights were off, it could have literally passed as a horror movie set. There are now 40 studios in the completed space.
Talk to me about this studio space. I’ve heard you designed it.
The original PaintCan studios was in northern Long Island City and was 3,500 square feet. This larger space is one I designed. I gave all of my drawings to an architect to finish off…but they were mostly done, and the drawing you see here (Michele shows me some of her original drawings) is pretty much exactly as the space is now, except for some changes to a bathroom to accommodate ADA regulations.
You wouldn’t believe it now, but this was an old factory in horrible condition when I first saw it. The windows were completely green. If the lights were off, it could have literally passed as a horror movie set. There are now 40 studios in the completed space.
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Michelle asked if I had noticed the PaintCan sign when I first got off the elevator. Having been in a hurry when I first arrived, I hadn’t, so we took a tour of the shared entry space.
This half door has a story. It was our actual door for the original PaintCan space. There were all these empty paint cans from the paint used for all of the walls. I had this idea to have a truck run over the cans. We then took the flattened cans and made a collage to design our door. I wanted to take this with me, so I asked to have it cut in half so we could use it as a conversation piece in the new space. Michele also pointed out the naked lighting with exposed wire and the retro furniture. It definitely has a shabby-chic vibe which is inviting and creative - just the kind of thing you’d expect of a diverse artist community. Besides designing the space and having your personal studio here, do you have any other duties? |
PaintCan Sign in Entry Area
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I run PaintCan. I am the president, treasurer…the general manager. I rent the spaces, do the books…pretty much everything.
During the interview, an artist stopped by to rent an available studio space, so I took the time to look around. Michele’s personal studio has incredible natural light and a view of the Manhattan skyline and the Queensboro Bridge. She has an office area in her studio as well. The floor has an industrial surface. Michele shared that she didn’t want anything fancy on the floor because it is a space for working – it’s spacious and welcoming, with several of her paintings perched on easels, adding bursts of vibrant color to the expansive white walls. It makes you want to pick up one of the brushes and start creating. Do you hold exhibitions for the artists here? Yes. We have open studio exhibitions here. We apply for LIC-A shows. This is a nonprofit arts advocacy organization. |
View of Queensboro Bridge from Michele's Studio
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Besides you, how many other members of NYSWA have studios here?
There are five others with studio space here.
There are five others with studio space here.
Contact Michele regarding available studio space.
Currently, there is space available on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor has a waiting list.
[email protected]
Currently, there is space available on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor has a waiting list.
[email protected]
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Sheila Hecht, a NYSWA member, stopped by while I was talking to Michele. I had met Sheila at the fall “Art as Sanctuary” reception, so I chatted with her and visited her studio briefly. It was great to see another studio space. She was working, so I didn’t want to take up too much of her time, but I did snap a quick photo.
Sheila shares her work in our Blank Canvas section. |
Sheila Hecht in Her Studio: Click image to see her work
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