Day 92/100: Michael Wurm, Jr.
Encouraging a Pittsburgh-based Creative Who Embraces All the Ways to Have a More Artful Life
Today, as part of my 100 Days of Encouragement Project, I’m celebrating Michael Wurm, Jr. — a Pittsburgh resident, who — among other things — loves his cats. This must be said first, because it makes him instantly likeable in my book!
Okay. So you want to know more? He’s also an interior designer, cook, DIYer, lover of all things gold & the writer behind the lifestyle blog, Inspired by Charm (which you can follow on Instagram at: @inspiredbycharm).
Michael’s got about a ga-gillion followers, so you probably already know him! But I first encountered him through his kind & thoughtful comments on some of my posts. I didn’t know Inspired by Charm was a whole THING, so I just thought (before I followed him back) that he was just a person who was really…well…inspired by charm – so much so, that he decided to make that his Instagram name. (You’re kinda wondering how I get along in the world right now, aren’t you??)
Anyway, I wanted to feature Michael today because he not only celebrates beauty and all the ways to create an artful life, but he is also a painter himself. And he’s an advocate for diving in, following your passion and celebrating your creativity in all its forms.
After earning a degree in hospitality management, working for a luxury hotel brand and single-handedly owning and operating a successful bed and breakfast (which he closed in 2012), Michael found that he loved writing about and photographing his lifestyle pursuits in his blog.
Recently though, after years of blogging and engaging with social media regularly, going through the stresses of a global pandemic, and taking a little Instagram hiatus, he’s been wondering what’s next? What would help refill his tanks after so much pouring out? And part of that answer has been getting back some of his own creative mojo through painting.
Though he was always interested in art, and grew up in a family of artists, fine arts painting fell to the wayside somewhere along the line. He painted plenty! But mostly walls, as he walked us through creating the perfect chevron accent wall or how to update a dining room with paint.
But in the past year or so, he’s opened himself up to the journey of “becoming an artist” – which essentially means converting his passion into practice. He’s taken some community and online art classes, but the real painting “teacher” has been spending time at the easel/sketchbook.
He’s learned about how he uses a brush and how to get the colors he wants. He’s found the “zone” where he doesn’t care as much about the finished product as he does the painting process itself. And in that space, he says it feels like meditation or prayer – a timeless, centering space of connection and hope. Balm for a weary soul.
His motto in both life and design is “Be who you are.”
And one of the “who he is” things about Michael is his generosity. What he has, he shares. As he embraces the artist’s journey, he shares his progress and encourages others that they can get started making art, too. He started a second Instagram account to document his painting journey. Here he offers some of his sources of inspiration, as well as sketchbook pages and works in progress.
On his blog, he shares about his favorite art supplies, promotes his favorite online art courses (including our Habit-Forming Flowers course) and generally encourages his followers to risk taking their creative pursuits seriously — for the fun of it.
Michael’s good humor, kindness, and playfulness come through in every painting and post. If you aren’t already inspired by charm, here’s your chance!
How You Can Be an Encouragement
Please check out Michael’s offerings on Instagram, follow him, and send him some encouragement today by commenting on one of his posts, subscribing to his blog, or sending him a direct message.
Instagram: @michaelwurmjr (this account is primarily about his art)
Website: www.inspiredbycharm.com
© Michael Wurm, Jr. (source: @michaelwurmjr on Instagram)
