Michelle Thompson is an illustrator and collage artist from the United Kingdom. She is mixing old elements with new aspects. After her First Class Degree and a Master’s Degree in Illustration from the Royal College of Art, she realised that she prefers mixed media, illustration and happy accidents. One of her most significant sources of inspiration is simultaneously her most preferred artists to do a collaboration with. And our NFT Granny is sure that this will happen, as she follows the advice: Do not give up!
NFT Granny: “Dear Michelle, thank you very much for taking your time to answer my question.It is appealing that you reflect contemporary themes and popular culture by cutting up and reassembling images from recent history. Without a doubt, we can say that people can see your First Class Degree in Illustration plus further education. What is your starting point when creating a collage? Do you already have the final result in mind, or does it come with different pictures on the table that you assemble?”
Michelle Thompson: It all happens on the table and that’s what I love the most. Often, I have an idea in my head and it rarely ends up like I expected.
How did you first become interested in art, and how did you get started with it yourself?
Michelle Thompson: I originally wanted to do graphic design, it was through college that I found I preferred mixed media, illustration and happy accidents.
Could you tell us more about the story of your project “The Baffler.“?
Michelle Thompson: It was initially commissioned for the Baffler Magazine, all about Atheists. It was one of those rare commissions where I got to use more collage than digital.
Open on Opensea.io
Which of your artworks are you most proud of?
Michelle Thompson: I’ve been working on a project with 7 other artists in 7 different countries. It’s been great working as a team and promoting collage in the NFT world. The project is called Negative Space Punks – an homage to CryptoPunks.
Is there an artist you would like to work with? Like a collaboration?
Michelle Thompson: Yes, Lulu!
We are curious 🙂 Would you be willing to share any plans of upcoming projects?
Michelle Thompson: Our Negative Space Punks are dropping on Objkt.com in four batches. We are 8 artists paying homage to CryptoPunks with 1000 handmade collages framing a curated set of silhouettes from the iconic collection. To get the latest news follow @NgtvSpcPnks.
Open on Objkt.com
Open on Objkt.com
Open on Objkt.com
Who or what are your biggest influences or sources of inspiration?
Michelle Thompson: Can I say Lulu again?! I’m really inspired by the OG’s Lulu and Gary Cartlidge. I love both their work, but also both have helped with any questions and offered me great advice. I’m also very thankful for my collector, Mentalist, who has been a massive support. I’ve found the NFT community to be so sharing.
What do you feel when you are creating new art?
Michelle Thompson: Free! After working on commissioned briefs it’s great to finally do exactly what I want!
Do you remember the first time you heard about NFT Art?
Michelle Thompson: Yes, it was when Beeple sold, and in all honestly, I came for the money! I actually found a fantastic community that I hadn’t had throughout my entire career.
How do you enjoy the NFT Art you have collected? Do you have a way to display it for example at home?
Michelle Thompson: My house is full of prints and, funnily enough, so different from any of the NFTs I have collected. I’m still a great lover of prints and originals, so many of my pieces come with the physicals, so you get to enjoy both on screen and at home.
What would be your biggest wish for the NFT Art scene? What is currently missing / not fully developed to reach full potential out of it?
Michelle Thompson: I think for women to have more prominence in the scene.
We would really like to know, where do you see the NFT Art scene in the future?
Michelle Thompson: NFT’s are beginning to merge more with the Art World. I see this continuing. It’s going to be interesting when more IRL artists join.
Which tools do you use to create your art?
Michelle Thompson: Scissors, iPhone, a scanner and then photoshop.
What does a typical day for you look like, and what do you like to do when you’re not busy with NFT Art?
Michelle Thompson: I’m always working! My teenage boys go off to school, I walk the dog, go on the treadmill and then work until 10/11 pm.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Michelle Thompson: Don’t give up.
Is there something aside from art or NFTs you collect?
Michelle Thompson: I have boxes and boxes of old books, maps and collage materials and of course trainers.
What do you feel the moment a project you’ve created dropped?
Michelle Thompson: Petrified!! Sometimes I have to remind myself to keep doing what I want, and not everyone will love it.
- Full Name: Michelle Thompson
- Current hometown: Cambridge, UK
- Languages she speaks: English
- What did you want to be when you were a child: An Artist
- Education: First Class Degree and a Master’s Degree in Illustration from the Royal College of Art
- First Job: I was commissioned to do a CD cover for Vaughan Oliver at 4AD
