The poetic watercolors of Soulshaft

Behind “Soulshaft” we find Marine Michel. She lives in Aigremont in the Gard. She makes watercolor designs. In life, her passions are painting, writing, music, crochet, history and art in general.

OJL: Hello Marine
Marine : Good morning.

OJL: Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in Aigremont, can you tell us what your favorite café is there? And what do you like to drink there?
Marine : I rarely go to Aigremont itself, because I live in the surrounding countryside. Nevertheless, I really enjoy going to the Anduze bakery. I like to go there and buy salted caramel muffins to enjoy in Cordeliers Park (smile).

OJL: And what is your favorite park or place?
Marine : It’s a difficult choice. I really like walking around my house… But I have a slight preference for the shores of the Gardon. Or walking in the Cévennes… There is also the medieval city of “Vézénobres” which is magnificent to visit.

OJL: Next, what was the last book you read? And the last song you listened to?
Marine : _About the book : “ Who will roll away the stone for us? – Women in the Church” by Joëlle Sutter-Razajohary . This work is about the place of the women in the Church according to biblical texts. It is a liberating reading based on an in-depth study of the original writings and their translations.

_About the music : I like every albums of the band “ Skillet ”. For the poetry and relevance of their words. For the lead singer’s hoarse voice. And for their melodic phrases.

OJL: Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like?
Marine : At this moment: “ This hope is for us like the anchor of our life. It is safe and solid ” in Hebrews 6:19.

MARINE MICHEL ART LETTERS PRAYINGS CLOUDS PINK ORIGAMI SOULSHAFT

OJL: Magnificent quote. Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself?
Marine : A young Gardoise who tries to fully live her artistic passions (laughs). I started watercoloring as soon as I could hold a paintbrush in my fingers, under the guidance of my father. I took up watercolor more seriously during my teenage years to relieve my stress. After a burn out, it became my preferred means of expression. I set out on my own in 2021 to give people the opportunity to acquire what they liked.

OJL: Who are the professionals who shaped you? Who struck you down? In a few names and why.
Marine : There are several:
_ My father, Jean-Pierre Michel, who painted, among other things, with wine watercolors. He taught me the traditional basics of watercolor and drawing.
https://www.aquarelleauvin.com/
_My mother, Isabelle Michel, who taught me to experiment with all the media that exist.
https://www.instagram.com/soupinette30/
_Ana Victoria Calderon , renowned Mexican watercolorist, who greatly influenced me in her modern techniques, creative process and saturated colors. I was able to take some of his courses online. Moreover, the symbolic language of the Renaissance inspires me enormously.
https://www.anavictoriana.com/
_And finally, the digital artist “Full of eyes ” who creates magnificent illustrations of the Bible.
https://www.fullofeyes.com/

OJL: How did you choose your pseudonym?
Marine : The word “ Soulshaft” is inspired by my personal and spiritual relationship with Jesus. I sincerely believe that art is a way of connecting us to ourselves, but also to God, hence the reference to the soul. This contact can in fact be experienced as a shock, a questioning, a growth hence the word “ shaft ” which means “javelin, arrow”.

OJL: What can you tell us about Christ? How do you feel about it? How can we present it to all those who despair of welcoming him into their lives?
Marine : I will try to get to the point because there is so much to say. Jesus wants to be in relationship with each of us to give us a future filled with love and hope. No difficulty, no sin, no suffering is too great before Him.

OJL: Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating?
Marine : Watercolor paintings. My works can then be used as cards, notebook covers or even song covers for Soundcloud (I have done some for Manumental ). I am currently learning digital drawing and pattern creation to be able to vary my medias. I recently started sharing the verses I paint in my Bible onTik Tok .

OJL: How can you define your style? Marine : Colorful figurative paintings serving a poetic, surreal or symbolic message.

OJL: What techniques do you use? Marine : I use all watercolor techniques to have a diversity of textures:
_ Washes allows me to play with transparency for light and shadow effects.
_The “wet on wet” for diffusion.
_The “wet on dry” for details and precision.
_The “dry on wet” for an organic effect.
_The “dry on dry” to reveal the whiteness of the paper.
Etc…
And I prefer to use Indian ink for black and white. A technique that is rather favored in modern watercolor.

OJL: Can we place you a personalized order? Marine : Quite. Both for professionals, individuals and administration. And for all types of media.

OJL: Can we subscribe to your newsletter? Because social networks are a bit saturated… Marine: I currently do not have a newsletter. You can follow me via all the links quoted above and contact me easily via the “contact” section of my website: https://soulshaft.fr/

MARINE MICHEL ART SOULSHAFT PINK ORIGAMI BIRDS SUNSET SEA

OJL: Do you have an anecdote about one of your products? Or one of your sales?
Marine : A customer wanted to place an order for notebooks. Although he wasn’t convinced by the design that represented his city, he still took the copies. And today… It’s this model that’s getting dangerously close to being out of stock (laughs).

OJL: Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time!
Marine : I have the privilege of corresponding with Nathania Boschung for several years. She’s a brilliant novelist whose books I haven’t yet finished devouring. I recommend them to fans of fantastic, historical fiction (in a rather Celtic spirit). As well as his more contemporary novels on the first nations of America. Here is his website: https://anamonnathania.com/

OJL: Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Marine : Thank you.