Michelle 'Meish' Claus | Tamarack Foundation

About Michelle ‘Meish’ Claus

Made by Meish was founded in 2020 when I decided to turn my art into greeting cards for the holiday season, with my last name being Claus, I thought it would be a fun project. From there I decided to expand in creating greeting cards for all occasions and particularly saw a need for more LGBTQ+ inclusive designs. The majority of my original artwork is painted in acrylic and features small details and critters that I’ve come across in my time exploring natural areas both locally and abroad. Made by Meish greeting cards, art prints, and stickers are all printed on high quality materials. I understand the value in both writing and receiving a handwritten letter and simply hope to spark conversation and connection between individuals through my art by creating a mix of whimsical, inclusive, and beautiful greeting cards worth framing.

Biography

I am a queer artist based in Charleston, West Virginia. I grew up in the lower peninsula of Michigan where I spent most of my summers playing in the woods. As an avid hiker, outdoor adventurer, and forager of plants and mushrooms, I am inspired by the unique beauty of each season and the colorful patterns of the forest. I recognize the importance of shape and texture, particularly when identifying trees in the winter months by their bark and locating edible mushrooms. I primarily use acrylic blended with water to add layers of detail as a medium to translate this connection with nature through my artwork, which features vibrant though often overlooked natural remains and imaginative creatures. I enjoy experimenting with different artforms and at the beginning of 2022 started carving linoleum blocks to create relief prints with ink. Because each block is hand pressed, every piece is unique and printed in limited runs. As a queer artist my goal is to create more LGBTQ+ inclusive designs and inspire others to take a walk outside and observe more details in the ever changing seasons.