Alan Michel join's People's Artist Competion

This spring, I am honored to be participating in The People’s Artist presented by Johnny Depp, a national competition that celebrates artists from across the country while raising support for The Art of Elysium. The competition offers artists the opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, exhibit at The Art of Elysium’s Salon, and compete for a $25,000 award to further their artistic work. My entry features a portfolio of my floral photo paintings, with a close study of dahlias captured at the height of autumn.

In the symphony of fall’s colors, autumn flowers play the final, lingering notes—rich, resonant, and often overlooked. Among them, the dahlia rises like a crescendo. With its sculptural form, layered petals, and jewel-toned palette, it embodies the complexity and fullness of the season.Unlike spring’s delicate blossoms or summer’s exuberance, the dahlia arrives late, unfolding boldly as the days shorten and the light begins to soften. Its petals twist and radiate with extraordinary precision, revealing an architecture that feels both deliberate and spontaneous. Each bloom becomes a meditation on resilience and transformation.

If this work resonates with you, I would be grateful for your support. You can view my entry and cast a free daily vote here:

Vote for Alan Michel in The People’s Artist Competition

In my photo paintings, I seek to move beyond simple representation. Through the layering of photographic images and painterly interventions, I amplify the flower’s inner energy—its rhythm, texture, and luminous color. The resulting work invites viewers to enter a world where observation becomes contemplation.

Flowers have long served as symbols of beauty and impermanence, but they are also reminders of nature’s capacity for continual renewal. The dahlia, blooming so generously at summer’s end, speaks to the richness that can emerge just before the season turns.

Being part of The People’s Artist competition is an opportunity to share this vision with a wider audience and to celebrate the power of art to deepen our connection to the natural world.

If this work resonates with you, I would be grateful for your support. You can view my entry and cast a free daily vote here:

Vote for Alan Michel in The People’s Artist Competition