Bye Bye Ikea!

If you are like me, you like to change things up in your house once in awhile! And I have found the perfect way to do that! What better way to give your room a new look than with some original photography! Again, I searched through Etsy and have found a wonderful artist named Michelle Campbell-Zurek and she is the heart and soul of Urban Junkies Photography.

Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Michelle now calls Los Angeles, California home. For as long as she can remember, she has been infatuated with imagery and art. After college, Michelle spend a few years in an unfullfilling career which left her feeling incomplete as an artisit. Returning to her true love, she has been able to find herself and be more at peace. She attributes this to her fascination of freezing time and holding on to a memory.







Michelle's main influence is her environment and states that Los Angeles has to be one of her biggest sources of inspiration. With the mixing of cultures, the vibrancy and the chaos of the town, it is truly the perfect muse! Secondly, Michelle credits passionate artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Camille Claudel, and Remedios Varo as major influences. These artists have motivated her to become a better photographer and painter.

As an artisan and owner of her own busines, Michelles biggest challenge is finding enough time in the day to learn more about art and finding more time to create new pieces. Well, I think it is safe to say that most of us are in the same boat! Discovering new and unique ways of marketing her shop is also a challenge that she faces. Charitable Donations are one way that Michelle has found as a way to 'give back'. I don't know about the rest of you, but knowing that a portion of my money is going to a charity is a HUGE bonus when I'm buying art! Way to go Michelle!

Michelle is also a huge lover of music and if she could sell any one of her items to anyone, she would want it to go to one of her favorite artists! A good choice I think! Michelle's favorite piece in her shop is a photograph called Transmutation. It holds a very special, personal meaning to her! It is beautiful!

So all of this said, please go and visit Michelle's shop and give the rooms in your house a facelift! Get rid of those Ikea prints that EVERYONE has hanging on their walls!

Thank you so much Michelle for allowing us a glimpse of your work and I wish you the very best success!

If you have read this blog, then please leave your comments! Love to read them!

I'm heading to the beautiful Kootney's in British Columbia on Thursday for 5 days! You can all look forward to hearing of our camping adventures next week!

Be Happy and Be Safe!

Joanne