Michele K McLaren Portfolios

My work delves into the complexities of the human experience. Through abstraction and bold, symbolic forms, I explore the human psyche and the ways our emotions and beliefs ripple outward, shaping identity, relationships, and society itself. This exploration reveals the many layers of humanity—its profound connections, complexities, and the darker side of human nature.

Creating art is my way of expressing both frustration and hope. It arises from the tensions I feel in witnessing our fractured world, paired with the belief that art can open eyes, invite reflection, and hold the possibility of change.

The Human Experience portfolio has become my visual journal—a way to capture fleeting moments so they are not forgotten, My work helps me navigate the world we live in serving as both a personal record and a reflection for others, preserving the memories and truths that shape us. I seek to reveal both the darkness that warns us of what must not be repeated and the transformations that can lead to renewal. Through minimalist, symbolic imagery, I distill the complexities of our world into visual patterns that reflect our shared human condition—an era marked by joy, loss, anger, fear, and uncertainty, intensified by the rapid shifts of technology and social media.

Central to this exploration is my Social Cadence Series, which examines the rhythms of society—its unity, conflicts, and fractures. Crowds and symbolic figures reveal the ways emotions, beliefs, and power move through communities, creating both harmony and division. Stripped to minimalist imagery, these works focus on essential patterns that shape collective life.

Other series extend this inquiry in different ways. The Inner Landscape of the Mind reflects the ebb and flow of emotions through bold compositions and fluid transitions, capturing the shifting states of the psyche. Divisions and Humanity Divided confront the fractures of our shared existence, while leaving space for resilience, dialogue, and the hope for repair.

By distilling these dynamics into minimalist, symbolic imagery, I aim to reveal the essential patterns that shape collective life. My intent is not to impose a single perspective, but to create openings—spaces for reflection, dialogue, and emotional connection. In doing so, I hope to foster engagement with the depth, beauty, and complexity of the shared human experience.

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Artist Statement

My work delves into the complexities of the human experience. Through abstraction and bold, symbolic forms, I explore the human psyche and the ways our emotions and beliefs ripple outward, shaping identity, relationships, and society itself. This exploration reveals the many layers of humanity—its profound connections, complexities, and the darker side of human nature.

Creating art is my way of expressing both frustration and hope. It arises from the tensions I feel in witnessing our fractured world, paired with the belief that art can open eyes, invite reflection, and hold the possibility of change.

The Human Experience portfolio has become my visual journal—a way to capture fleeting moments so they are not forgotten, My work helps me navigate the world we live in serving as both a personal record and a reflection for others, preserving the memories and truths that shape us. I seek to reveal both the darkness that warns us of what must not be repeated and the transformations that can lead to renewal. Through minimalist, symbolic imagery, I distill the complexities of our world into visual patterns that reflect our shared human condition—an era marked by joy, loss, anger, fear, and uncertainty, intensified by the rapid shifts of technology and social media.

Central to this exploration is my Social Cadence Series, which examines the rhythms of society—its unity, conflicts, and fractures. Crowds and symbolic figures reveal the ways emotions, beliefs, and power move through communities, creating both harmony and division. Stripped to minimalist imagery, these works focus on essential patterns that shape collective life.

Other series extend this inquiry in different ways. The Inner Landscape of the Mind reflects the ebb and flow of emotions through bold compositions and fluid transitions, capturing the shifting states of the psyche. Divisions and Humanity Divided confront the fractures of our shared existence, while leaving space for resilience, dialogue, and the hope for repair.

By distilling these dynamics into minimalist, symbolic imagery, I aim to reveal the essential patterns that shape collective life. My intent is not to impose a single perspective, but to create openings—spaces for reflection, dialogue, and emotional connection. In doing so, I hope to foster engagement with the depth, beauty, and complexity of the shared human experience.

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