On this installment of Soul Spotlight I am showcasing the amazing Michelle Schratz. You may know Michelle as @raspberrybluesky on Instagram. I have admired her work for a long time. Michelle was one of the first artists I followed who created using tea bags. Her creativity is endless. Michelle and I are currently collaborating on Thursday’s over on Instagram. We’re working separately in journals that we plan to swap. Welcome Michelle!

Tell Us About Yourself:

I’m a mixed media artist, book-binding-tea-bag-using-paper-loving seamstress and of course a passionate art journal maker. In short - simply a creative bohemian gypsy soul.

I was born and raised in the USA and came to Germany at the age of 15, where I met my husband. We live on the outskirts of Munich in the Bavarian countryside near Lake Ammer - where I can often be found, if I’m not in the studio. And although I am solely a US citizen, Germany is now my home. Europe fascinates me with its history and heritage and I feel very fortunate to be able to live here.

I am very spontaneous. I love things that have lived a life and have been discarded. Vintage, shabby, broken, torn, … that’s my kinda thing.

What Does Art Mean to You?

Art means everything to me. It’s a way of "spilling everything out". Creating is something that I truly love and need. It's the air that I breathe.

Who/What Inspires You?

For me inspiration can strike anywhere, at any time from anything. May it be a walk in the woods, simple words that I read in the newspaper, a day at the lake, a color that I caught a glimpse of somewhere, my coffee spoon - well just about everything inspires me to tell you the truth! Those small everyday things, they set my creative soul on fire.

Top 3 Must Have Art Supplies:

My top 3 art supplies, hmmmmm - matte medium, old used paper snippets and any kind of paint. Well that’s for today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Who is your Dream Collaborator or Collaboration?

Omigosh, this ones hard. I’ll have to think a moment…. Are we talking companies? Nooooo company for me please. I’m just a creative soul who likes to use old things… Well then, when I come to think about it…. any kind of “fleamarket finds“ can come on over and knock on my door for a collaboration!