"I happened upon an article featuring a famous international artist. Some years ago he traded his canvas and brushes for an iPad and stylus. He continues to create sophisticated works of art on an iPad. This piqued my interest, so I picked up my iPad and started on a new journey.”

"My name is Michele Koutris. I am a Digital Artist. I paint Fine Art on an iPad. I live in Hackensack, New Jersey, a stones throw from NYC. What is unique is that I paint Free-Hand on an iPad just as I would on a canvas."


Tell us about yourself and your background.
The Arts have always been a large part of my life. Starting as young as eleven years old I was performing on TV. I was already being trained for the opera by Helen Jepson a member of The Metropolitan Opera Company in NYC. When I was thirteen, I was given a scholarship at the Juilliard School of Music to continue my voice training. Whenever I had a spare moment I was drawing. I loved working with pastels. When I was eighteen I was a full time student at Juilliard. During the day I was being trained in voice, theory, and languages. In the evening I was performing at the world famous "Copacabana’’ Nightclub in NYC.

They felt my story was so unique that the famed columnist Earl Wilson of The New York Post wrote an article about me titled  "Her Double Life’’ I was working with stars such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. This was quite a heady experience for an eighteen year old, barely out of High School. I was still drawing when I could. It has always been a source of relaxation. I went on to get my Actors Equity card and performed in Musicals both in and out of New York including the leads  in "The Music Man" and “Fiorello". I was twenty-one when I married. I went on to have three children and now five grandchildren. I became a songwriter in the mid-1980’s. I was taken under the wing of Clyde Otis, a well respected Writer and Publisher. I enjoyed some exciting successes; a song in a movie, a single that was Nominated for song of the year by CASHBOX Magazine and a cut on the Greatest hits album of Jeannie C Reilly of (Harper Valley PTA) fame. Yes, I was still painting, and by that point I was painting with oils.

"It could be a feather that I’ll use for one of my ladies hats, a unique eye color, a rose kissed by dew, or a women’s bare shoulders. When it all comes together in my head, I then begin to paint."

​How do you paint?
A little over 3 years ago, I happened upon an article written about The famed British artist, David Hockney. He explained how after decades of conventional painting he put down his canvas and picked up an iPad. This piqued my interest, so I too picked up my iPad and started on a new journey. I use my iPad as I would a canvas. I found an App that is a large Paintbox filled with brushes, oils, acrylics, charcoal, pastels, watercolor and more. My iPad is my canvas, my stylus is my brush. I then pick my medium from the paintbox.

What is the creative process like for you?
First, I turn on my iPad. I go though all the photographs I have collected. Some days I know exactly what I want to create. Other days it’s just a happy accident. Just the act of creating is exciting to me. Be it a new painting, a new song, or even a new recipe.
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"I’m passionate about my family, my art, my music and life."

What inspires you?
I look for inspiration every day. I collect photographs / paintings that interest me From all Eras. It could be a feather that I’ll
use for one of my ladies hats, a unique eye color, a rose kissed by dew, or a woman’s bare shoulders. When it all comes together in my head, I then begin to paint.
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How does your approach compare to the traditional?
It all starts with my iPad. My paintbox App allows me to pick any mediums I’d like to try. Usually it’s oil or oil-pastels. Sometimes it feels so real that when I touch the iPad screen I think I’ve gotten paint on my hand or smudged the painting.
​A perk is, there’s no clean up when you’re done!

"I’ve heard from many of my followers that my paintings always make them smile. I will happily accept that as my contribution."
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You have had some impressive receptions of your work?
During the last three years I was invited to exhibit my paintings at the Parallax Art Fair in Chelsea, London, this is an international Art Fair featuring artists from over 30 countries. I was also featured in two issues of "Women in Art 278" a magazine that featured women-artists from around the globe.

What are your current creative plans?
I love to explore everything. Maybe one day I may want to paint a landscape, or seascape or abstract. For now I’m content with what I’m currently creating but that could certainly change in the future.

What are your life passions?
I’m passionate about my family, my art, my music and life.

"I will be working on more in my series ‘’ Women around the Globe‘’ you can see two of these paintings in this issue. A beautiful woman from an African nation and a beautiful woman from the Middle East."

Tell us about some of the feedback you have received.
The feedback has been great. I market a great deal in Europe. They send me Lovely comments in many different languages along with sweet emojis of hearts, flowers, and happy faces. I’m lucky and appreciative that they enjoy my art greatly.

What can we expect from you in the near future?
I will be working on more in my series "Women around the Globe" you can see two of these paintings in this issue. 
​A beautiful woman from an African nation and a beautiful woman from the Middle East.

"I know I want to explore doing more of my ladies in Black & White, with a touch of color in their lips and or eyes. This will lean more towards Pop Art."

What directions are you keen to explore with your art?
I know I want to explore doing more of my ladies in Black and White, with a touch of color in their lips and or eyes. This will lean more towards Pop Art.
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Tell us about your location.
My location is Northern New Jersey USA. I feel living only half-hour from NYC is a plus. New York City is one of the art capitals of the world. You have the opportunity to visit art museums., such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. (MoMA) and countless galleries. and take away from the experience what you will.

"I believe now more than ever we need art and artists to bring beauty into this world full of turmoil that we are all currently experiencing."

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What do you think the future holds for art?
I think that art will always have a role in the world. I believe now more than ever we need art and artists to bring beauty into this world full of turmoil that we are all currently experiencing.

What impact do you want your work to have on viewers?
I’ve heard from many of my followers that my paintings always "Make them smile". I will happily accept that as my contribution.
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