Artist Spotlight – Larelle Michener
As part of the beautification and visioning projects in Historic Downtown Prosser we’ve purchased 11 fiberglass ponies to be painted by local artists and placed throughout our historic downtown corridor. These ponies have been sponsored by local businesses, organizations and individuals.
We’d like to introduce you to the artists involved in this exciting project!
At what age did you begin to paint and what was your inspiration?
I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t painting or drawing something! My mom recently unearthed some ‘artwork’ dated 15 months and 18 months of age so it’s been a constant in my life since I was old enough to hold a paintbrush.
What do you like best about painting?
The creative process is both challenging and relaxing. Figuring out the best way to portray something or what colors
to use or how to approach something from a different perspective can be a great challenge. On the flip side, once a project is started I find it soothing to have that quiet time to just tune out the world and focus on what’s happening with the brush.
What drew you to this project and what have you learned from this project?
I have always loved painted animal projects so the opportunity to help bring one to Prosser was too good to pass up. My pony features scenes from around the community so it has been fun to think about what is uniquely ours, what makes Prosser, Prosser?
What is something you want people to know about you? About your work?
I’m a hometown girl who loves to travel. There are a lot of amazing places to see in the world and I am blessed to have seen some of them, the works of great artists and the places that influenced them, but at the end of the day I love being able to come back to Prosser and the Yakima Valley. We live in a wonderful place that is also artistically inspiring!
Where can we find your art?
I don’t do a lot of painting for myself these days, and have never had a gallery representation or sold my work. Lately if you want to see my art you need to attend a Valley Theater Company production- I paint a lot of sets!