About Arcadia

Artist's Statement

I think of my art as an act of sharing, a desire to let other people see as I see, and feel as I feel about a subject. At the same time, viewers have often remarked that my work is ambiguous. Since ambiguity is a characteristic which I often enjoy in other works of art, perhaps it's no surprise that it appears in mine. Sometimes it's intentional, sometimes it's not; but I do like to think my art is more than simply representational.

As an instructor, I believe what you paint is less important than simply relishing the act of painting. Perhaps this is where some of my ambiguity comes from; making a successful painting is hard work! But it is work I love, and I hope that passion comes through to the viewer.

Biography

A transplanted Californian, Michele Frantz began her career as an artist after receiving a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Originally trained as an illustrator, her detailed pen and ink drawings quickly began appearing on posters, note cards and advertising pieces, as well as in private collections. After moving to Virginia, Michele was hired to design and create signs, flyers, display art and posters for the public library system. The varied demands of this work encouraged her to explore new techniques and mediums, further refining her skills as both a graphic artist and as a fine artist.

After a side trip into the world of human resources, Michele decided to pursue art full-time, and created Arcadia Art Studio. Originally dividing her time between desktop publishing and painting, she entered her first juried fine art show, and placed third. Encouraged by this success, Michele began increasingly to focus on fine art. She also decided to put her education and experience to use teaching others, and has gone on to become a popular teacher of adult artists, offering a variety of drawing, painting and composition classes at both beginning and intermediate levels. She currently teaches at several locations in the Prince William County area.

Michele continues to explore different modes of artistic expression, taking periodic painting classes and workshops. Although her first love is watercolor, she has become accomplished in a variety of media, including acrylics, pastels, calligraphy and colored pencil. Her work has received numerous awards, including Best in Watercolor, Best of Show, and First Place, especially in plein air competitions. She is also a recipient of the Seefeldt Award for Arts Excellence presented by the Prince William County Arts Council.

Michele is currently or formerly active in several arts organizations, including the Art Guild of Clifton, the Blue Ridge Art Guild, the Manassas Art Guild and the Prince William Art Society. She is a founding member of p-ART-ners Professional Network, and currently serves on the "arts initiative" committee for the City of Manassas.