About the Artist

Michelle Smith, also known as Sugar Cadavers, is a Philadelphia born and raised multimedia surrealist artist currently based in Durham, North Carolina. 

 

Michelle graduated from Temple University's Tyler School of Art in 2018 with a BA in Visual Studies and a Community Arts certificate. During her time in Philadelphia, she found her artistic voice within the city's vibrant underground arts and music scene, striking a balance between her deep love for the natural world and the opportunities of urban life.

 

Michelle explored the ever present duality of these themes through ‘live painting’ performances at a variety of musical events ranging from crouching over tiny canvases in the basements of Temple house shows and dive bars to sprawling 30 foot canvases at festivals in the sandy Pine Barrens of South Jersey. Through these experiences she began to synthesize her uniquely meticulous, frenetic style of maximalist impressionist painting. A series of patterns, gestures and organic dreamy motifs have begun to emerge over the years as Michelle’s body of work continues to grow and the Sugar Cadavers universe continues to expand. 

 

Since moving to Durham in 2020, Michelle has added both stained glass and hot glass blowing to her growing list of mediums she enjoys working with and will be expanding her ever growing repertoire to include glass fusing, hand painted stained glass and flame working this summer. Michelle has even begun experimenting with 3D and sculptural work thanks to the influence of her studio mates at Liberty Arts Studio + Foundry, where she resides and works. Along with her painting and glass practices Michelle is also an avid collage maker, photographer, designer and immersive installation artist. 

 

Liberty Arts hosts Open Studios every 3rd Friday of the year at 918 Pearl Street Durham NC.

 

Michelle is currently serving as a member of the Durham Public Arts Committee.

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Photo by Sass World