About Me

Hello my name is Michele and I love being creative. 

A Little About Me..

The Dreaming Dilettante was a name that came to me about 12 years ago. I resonated with the archetype of The Dilettante. For me, this is someone who embraces all forms of creativity and can move from one form of creative expression to another. This is something I do in my studio on a regular basis. Whether it’s painting, sketching, working in my art journals, making journals, writing, embroidery etc. I find great joy in the creative process.

I have been a writer since I was 10 years old. I write poetry, fiction and books on spirituality. I consider myself a renaissance entrepreneur who believes ever so strongly in being the conscious creator of a life you love and that supports you on your soul journey.

I have recently taken the plunge and opening my own online shop where I sell prints of my artwork, handmade journals, ephemera kits and more. You can visit my shop right here if you would like:

My Creative Process

I work intuitively always. Sometimes I may have any idea of what I want to make but ultimately I just sit down and dig in. One of my favorite things is to clean my desk by gluing, painting or embellishing with the scraps left over on the table. Whether it’s left over paint, some scraps or ink I love just putting paper to paper and seeing what comes up.

I also work in stops and starts. My life is such that long hours of creative time are few and far between and I have realized the joy of making art in moments. 10 minutes here, 5 minutes here. Working in this way makes the creative process truly a part of my life on a daily basis and throughout each day. I find this very grounding and conducive to creative inspiration as I don’t often have time to get stuck. When I walk away from a piece it’s still with me mulling around in my mind and often times the answer comes to me as I go about my day.

Just the facts…

I am Mommy to 3 beautiful, smart and creative homes schooled children. I am married to my best friend of the past 27 years and proud fur mommy to a menagerie of rescue pets. We live in a 100 + year-old home in the North East of the United States.

FAQ’s

Are You on Social Media? 
I was, then I wasn’t and now I am on Instagram. I don’t post a ton there but you can follow me @dreamingdilettante


Do You Have a YouTube Channel? 
I have recently re-launched my YouTube channel and am really enjoying sharing over there. If you would list to subscribe you can find my channel here or you can view all the videos I make here on the blog over at Dilettante TV.

Want to Learn More?
In a nutshell though? I want this site to be place that offers inspiration. If you are having a creative lull or perhaps you just want something fun to listen to or watch in the background while you are creating your own masterpiece then this is where you can come. If you are looking to read something or watch something and want to be inspired or uplifted-there is something here for you.

I don’t want to pretend that life is perfect and I have no struggles. What I do want is for you to feel this is a safe place to come to where you will be uplifted and inspired and hopefully there will be a little smile on your face when you leave.

It is my aim to focus on creativity in such a way that we are all inspired to pick up our paints (or medium of choice) and have a play session.

What is a dilettante?

I have been asked over the last 15 or so years about how I chose the name. If you are an autodidactic person you may have looked up the word for a better understanding. I did back in 2021 when I was re-launching my blog and was a bit saddened by what I read. Many of the results that came up from my little search implied that calling someone a “dilettante,” namely a creative person, was a bit of an insult implying they aren’t skilled or serious about their work.

That’s not what a dilettante means to me. The short answer is I prefer the Merriam-Webster definition that says, “an admirer or lover of the arts,” as I am indeed an admirer and lover of all things creative. I believe anything can be creative-paying bills can be creative (and perhaps, sometimes a bit necessary 😉 and every person creates in their own way. So for me the dilettante is someone who loves to be creative and doesn’t limit their creative expression to a particular medium. That is me. I create because it’s when I feel my most unique self and I do not limit my mediums or forms of expression and I love to try new things. 

I know some people ask and I pronounce it “Dill a Tont”

8 Things About Me

  1. Routines Don’t Work for Me
    Yet, I keep trying! I am working to discipline myself a bit more and have been making great strides. I do love listening to the routines of others!
  2. Instead of Routines I “Book End” My Days
    Book ending my days was something that came to me a few years back and it works really well.
  3. I’m Never Bored
    Unless I am doing something I don’t want to be doing. I was bored a lot at jobs and when I was younger I was always bored in school. Now I know I could live 100 lives and still not get to all the hobbies and interests I have.
  4. My Favorite Crafts Involve Paper
    I love doing so many things: embroidery, sewing, crochet (really basic crochet) but if I could only do one thing it would definitely involve paper. Cutting paper, gluing paper, writing on paper. A journal, a pen, a glue stick and a magazine is all I need to keep myself entertained for hours.
  5. I Want To Learn to Knit
    I know basic stitches and have made simple things but I would love to be able to read a pattern and sew myself a warm sweater or some cozy socks. It’s on my list of skills to learn.
  6. I March to the Beat of a Different Drum
    (actually it’s not a drum it’s a kazoo)
    As I mentioned above I love watching routine, results oriented people. They are inspiring and the really human part of me wishes I could be a bit more like that.   I’m not. I don’t like to do the same thing everyone is doing and prefer to carve out my own path listening to the inspiration that flows through. I also believe that we can do things our own way and still get results (usually better ones) and be successful (truly successful in all areas of our life.) I am more than happy to walk my path on my own and do my own thing. If anyone needs me I am dancing in the corner by myself.
  7. I’m always learning….
    I’m always learning something new and hope this continues all the way until I take my last breath on this planet. Currently I am working on my Doctorate Degree having just earned my Masters in Metaphysics. Well, working on my doctorate right now looks a bit like “mulling over ideas as I try and discover my focus” lol. I love learning and my faith has grown, deepened and expanded so much since I started my studies. At the root of all I do and share is a deeply held belief in God and how creativity can connect us more deeply to our Creator.
  8. I am Introverted…mostly
    I usually say I recharge like an introvert. I need alone time. I love being with people but then I like to say good bye, head back to The Shire and my little hobbit hole for a week or so. I do not need to be around people and can happily spend a week or more in my home without leaving-as long as I have snacks. And books. And strong wi-fi.