The Artist Sees Differently: Michelle Lisa Herman

Michelle Lisa Herman, Digital Media Manager

Photo: Michelle Lisa Herman

How did you learn about the Phillips?

Well, I guess I first learned about The Phillips Collection in high school in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at the Dillard Center for the Arts, when I took AP Art History. I was familiar with some of the works in The Phillips Collection that I would come across in my textbooks, though I didn’t get to actually visit until I started college at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. My friends and I would make pilgrimages here as often as we could to see exhibitions at The Phillips Collection and other museums in the area.

Do you feel you are inspired by the Phillips art?

Just being surrounded by thousands of works of art is inspiring in itself, but the energy that The Phillips Collection has makes it an even more enjoyable experience as an artist.

What do you listen to as you create?

I usually would say my “Trinity”: Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, and Björk. But lately, Björk has been taking the lead. I also listen to a good amount of indie, electronica, and foreign pop.

Who’s your favorite artist in the collection?

For me, this isn’t a totally fair question because I can’t really choose one. Because of my love of art history, there are just so many. Some of my favorites are Odilon Redon, Francis Bacon, Goya, Daumier, Degas, and Renoir.

Do you collect other artwork – or anything?

While I do collect some artwork from fellow artists and friends, I think I may be most known for my collection of Wizard of Oz memorabilia.

-Rolf Rykken

Michelle Lisa Herman, A.R.T. (Applied Research & Technology), 2010 display

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