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Chelsea Michal Garter

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About

It’s plain and simple, really. I had no choice but to become an artist. I was placed in a long line of brains that have to exude talent from their fingers whether that be by paint, camera, by worship, by music, by drawing, bleaching articles of clothing, koi ponds, delivering mail, or planting enormous amounts of bulbs every spring, you name it, our family dabbled in it. Just so happens, God gave me paint. I like paint. I like the way it smells and gets in your fingernails and ends up on all of your favorite clothes. I love that it drips & mingles & the way oils look right next to each other.

I also studied photography. Mostly the kind that you do in a very dark room where you hope you don’t run into other people or where you learn people by the inflection in their voices or the shape of their waste (as you bump around) and not their face. My true love though, if i am honest is paint and writing. You can find my blog here. Besides those forms of art, I spend time doing hair. I have walking canvases… canvases that have all sorts of different hair, clients with pet pigs, or love to kayak, or clients who were brought to America by Mother Theresa herself, clients who love change or never change their hair or really only come in for the head massage, rather than the company. More than most things, I pride myself in the grace God has given me to get to stand next to my husband as he applauds me in my ideas and my crazy adventures and as he pushes me to grow in the talents God has given me. We travel together which gives me inspiration, we live in a crinkly little beautiful home in a far-from-perfect neighborhood on the grand river which floods every year, that I cannot describe to you how much i’m in love with. our house is small and the electric in the back bedroom never got finished to completion and I still want to eventually iron my curtains, but and i am learning that in every situation I want to say thank you. I am surrounded by friends and family that I could not do this life without. mostly, I give all credit to Jesus who has saved me and given me perfect hope for the future. I hope that in all of my work– paint, writing, people, & hair–it all tells the story of Jesus because he has walked me to where I am now. I heart you.

Instagram

(Update! SOLD)”I could feel it coming then”— (Update! SOLD)”I could feel it coming then”—⁣
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When we were deep in the cave, just you and I. It was one of the best seasons for us. There were monkeys and kayaks and cliffs the shape of jagged fingernails. Water, the texture of hot fudge, the color of perfect teal. ⁣
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I could feel it coming then, this was preparation for something, and now I know what it was for. Now I know why.⁣
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 It was a season where I learned that no matter what my hands were doing, it didn’t matter much if it wasn’t to further someone else, to bring color, flavor, safety, love. These are the colors of that season, the painting for that chapter, the journal entry where the idea of you was born. ⁣
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#chelseamichalgarter #48x48x1.5 inches, acrylic and oil.
(Sold and sold) I believe in kindness. Also in mis (Sold and sold) I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not prescribed. —Mary Oliver “Evidence” #chelseamichalpourpainting
(Sold and finally home!) And this is a painting ab (Sold and finally home!) And this is a painting about all things good like flowers and eggs over easy and sand in the toes and moments of frustration that I’m grateful for. ⁣
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The chafing that comes from a much needed long walk in the wrong pants and the time it takes to make the coffee that makes your morning perfect. ⁣
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Isn’t it all a miracle? •
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#abstraction#abstractpainting#chelseamichalgarter#chelsmichalpaint#paintforlife#travelpainter#abstractexpressionism#grandrapidsArt#grandrapids#grandrapidsartist#grandrapidspainter#grandrapidsgallery#michiganartist#michiganart#michiganabstract#chelseamichalavailable#chelseamichalgarter#abstractexpressionism#abstractexpressionist#abstractexpression#grandrapidsbossbabe#lineartist#linedrawing#ontheeasel
(Update: Sold) Ta-da! This is my paint pallet for (Update: Sold) Ta-da! This is my paint pallet for last year! 2019! Available! #chelsmichalpaint #paintpallet#michiganart#michiganartist#michiganart#grandrapidsart#grandrapidsartist#chelseamichalgarter#cgpalletpainting
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OH MY LANTA // an old painting, on an arm. // Also OH MY LANTA // an old painting, on an arm. // Also, here is a great MLK quote: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” — MLK // @nickvanliere #chelsmichaldraws#chelseamichaltattoo
(Sold!) Love the way these were hung by @nate.silv (Sold!) Love the way these were hung by @nate.silvey and his gorgeous bride @gabrielesilvey... painting these shapes calm me down, and I hope lookin at them does the same for you!! If you’re looking for something similar I have some like it up at @stovetoproasters. I finally found a way to enjoy painting small. ✌🏼 While quarantined, I’m over here tryna make my house look as comfortable and dope as this one.. can’t wait to show you my studio once I have it all cleaned!!
We are keepers. ⁣ ⁣ Keepers of our stories, ou We are keepers. ⁣
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Keepers of our stories, our talents, our bitterness, our forgiveness & our joy⁣
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We carry it in this vessel: soul, body, spirit ⁣
Though I’m largely a verbal processor, to paint is a way for me to express what is kept⁣
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I think that we are all created in someway to put our hands outward, into the world, toward people// ⁣It is no secret that we are all broken and banged up in some way, and that it is meant for something. ⁣
We were given our hardships & our celebration for a reason⁣
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And it is not to be kept.⁣ ⁣
Sometimes being a keeper means finding a way to not keep it⁣
But share it.⁣
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(SWIPE to see some of the keepers and makers who inspire me and do this so well, and I got lots more to keep sharing!!)
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Who inspires you? #grandrapidsartist#grandrapidsart#abstractarts#new_and_abstract#abstractsonfire#michiganartist#michiganartgallery#chelseamichalavailable
Colors from the @acehotel! Just look at this place Colors from the @acehotel! Just look at this place. #california#acehotel#kingshighway#californiaart#earthing#chelseamichalgarter
(Update, sold) // This funky piece is finally 🆙 (Update, sold) // This funky piece is finally 🆙 at @riseauthenticbaking along with some other new work! They have an amazing cozy patio open, and bathrooms accessible where you can see the work displayed in the open space!! ENJOY A DONUT AND COFFEE!!! Stay warm ☀️#uniqulo#chelseamichalgarter#chelsmichalpaint#grandrapidsartist##michiganartist#michiganart #michiganartists#chelseamichalpourpainting
(Sold!) Last post about these textured chunky piec (Sold!) Last post about these textured chunky pieces that are making their way to their homes. They took weeks. They sat and rested and dried while life was going on, for months. “Circumstances.” 2020. #chelseamichalgarter#grandrapids#grandrapidsmichigan#abstractexpressionism#abstractexpression#abstractexpressionist#new_and_abstract#abstractsonfire#blue#paintingforlife#createdtocreate#tuesday#cgpalletpainting
(𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿 (𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸!! 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗢!) ⁣
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You asked, I listened. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲! (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗠! 𝗛𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.) ⁣
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𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁-𝘂𝗽𝘀 & 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵e 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆s 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀!! ⁣
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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴! ⁣
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✌🏼 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘀 ⁣
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#abstraction#abstractpainting#chelseamichalgarter#chelsmichalpaint#paintforlife#travelpainter#abstractexpressionism#grandrapidsArt#grandrapids#grandrapidsartist#grandrapidspainter#grandrapidsgallery#michiganartist#michiganart#michiganabstract#chelseamichalavailable#chelseamichalgarter#abstractexpressionism#abstractexpressionist#abstractexpression#grandrapidsbossbabe#lineartist#linedrawing#ontheeasel⁣#chelseamichalavailable 
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Always favorite sections, moments, and parts to ea Always favorite sections, moments, and parts to each piece. Much like life. Hope you have some bright moments today, or that you go looking for them. ✌🏼
The face the hands the human #chelsmichaldraws#che The face the hands the human #chelsmichaldraws#chelseamichaltattoo#grartist#grandrapidsmichigan#grandrapidsart#grandrapidsartist#michiganartist#linedrawingtattoo#linedrawings#linedrawing #chelsmichaldraws @marcellastouffer
A little plug here, so many of you have supported A little plug here, so many of you have supported me in amazing ways! If you’d like a design different than the ones you’ve seen, this one can be ordered through @thrivalgoods & @knownsupply! I love that my shirt can also help support the makers of the shirt. If you’re interested in knowing more, check out @knownsupply, who this shirt was made through. Spread love if you can today, they’re an incredible company to support and do that through. 😘
“Even there your hand will guide me, your right “Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me
fast.” Psalm 139:10 // #chelseamichaltattoo @jpierce959 @linsey_pierce_@davidbeltattoo
(Closed!) GIVEAWAY. We could ALL use a Spring Re-f (Closed!) GIVEAWAY. We could ALL use a Spring Re-fresh about right now, so this giveaway comes at just the right time! I’ve partnered with a few local ladies to bring you the ultimate Spring bundle: ✨Framed original painting @handwritten_studio
✨Macrame plant holder, pot, rainbow earrings + wall hanging @knotsoflovestudios ✨Concrete Catch All Tray + ring holder @known_goods
✨Art print + postcards @chelseamichalart
✨Cream runner rug + 2 graphic tea towels @thecozinessconsultant
✨The introductory @womenscollectivebox launched just this week!

Here’s how to enter:
1. Follow all 6 accounts
2. Like this post
3. Tag your friends in separate comments below
4. Share in your stories + tag me for an extra entry

Contest ends this Thursday (the First Day of Spring) at 7 PM Eastern & the winner will be notified via DM + a tag in stories. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way + is open to US residents only. We hope YOU win. ⭐️
Shirts are back in stock at @thrivalgoods!! Also f Shirts are back in stock at @thrivalgoods!! Also found at @knownsupply! Photo by @lindseyjanelleliving
Senior photos with my dog taken by my husband nbd Senior photos with my dog taken by my husband nbd @bigmaxbabycantutell #chelseamichalpourpainting
Hi friends! Thank you for all of the love in my st Hi friends! Thank you for all of the love in my story, I feel so loved as we step into this new adventure. I cannot believe I will have children at home tomorrow morning when I wake up! ⁣
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There is so much change right now for everyone. ⁣
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So much to be grateful for. ⁣
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So much to be thoughtful about. ⁣
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So much that is hard. ⁣
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This last season of preparation has been so hard! It is in the hard times that I see growth and new life inside of us. ⁣I am trying to see this season as a teacher for me. ⁣
Stay safe and healthy and creative in this time that we might never have again! ⁣
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It’s when we are in times like these that we learn to see a little differently. ⁣
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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲? Thanks for the snap #chelseamichalpourpainting
This sold already but I just wanted to show this t This sold already but I just wanted to show this to you! I love this green! What’re you doing tomorrow for thanksgiving?!? #chelseamichalgarter#michiganpainter#chelseamichalpourpainting#michiganart#michiganartist#grandrapidsmi#grandrapidsmichigan#chelseamichalpourpainting
A couple thoughts in this time where we have never A couple thoughts in this time where we have never been more disconnected from each other, yet more connected in the world! It is time to slow down, re evaluate by seeing what we miss more than we should, and what we maybe turn to (on a normal day) more than we should for importance and value. Let’s keep turning toward each other, letting mercy and grace be fresh everyday for each other and ourselves because that’s how God loves us. Keep using the medicine you’ve been given to use to love whoever you’re in contact with. Photo by the beautiful @kaleymetz_ , artwork by me! Tshirts: @riseauthenticbaking
(Sold!) circa MAY 2020 // SWIPE to see the new bab (Sold!) circa MAY 2020 // SWIPE to see the new babies that’ll be replacing these old textured friends that sold during lockdown.  Some of the new ones are claimed already! 🤙🏼 #art#texture#arttexture#touchableart#grandrapidsart#grandrapidsartist#grandrapidsmichigan#chelseamichalgarter#chelseagarterpalletpainting
It is a pleasant thing to be on the search for won It is a pleasant thing to be on the search for wonder.
(Sold!) “I am clay” —⁣ ⁣ It is no small (Sold!) “I am clay” —⁣
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It is no small lesson to learn to let all of me fall back on to you. To let someone else be my legs. ⁣
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I felt, then, as if the winter of life would swallow me. But it was then that I learned I was made to lean onto a chest. ⁣
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Instead of pick and prod at myself, let You shape me. ⁣
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There are seasons when even taking another step feels difficult, and it is then when I realize I can let you walk for me, ⁣
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putting even the air—there —in my lungs. #grandrapids artist#grandrapidsart#grandrapidsmichigan#michiganartist#michiganart#michigangallery#grandrapidsgallery#abstractexpressionist#abstractexpressionism#abstractsonfire #new_and_abstract#chelseamichalgarter#chelsmichalpaint#paintingisfun#paintforlife#chelseamichalpourpainting
Arizona Field Notes, March 2020. Arizona Field Notes, March 2020.
Color testing. Joshua Tree, March 2020. Color testing. Joshua Tree, March 2020.
🌱 #chelseamichaltattoo#chelseamichalgarter#chel 🌱 #chelseamichaltattoo#chelseamichalgarter#chelsmichaldraws @epohlad #linedrawing#michiganartist#michiganart#olivebranch
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