31 Nights: A Self-Portrait Series Experience (3 sessions)

31 Nights: The Self — A Visual Journaling Experience

A three-session immersive studio experience led by national award-winning artist Michael Bell over the course of 31 nights beginning Saturday, May 9th.

Explore more of Michael’s work at
View a short artist reel .

This is not a single workshop.
This is not a weekly class.

This is a guided creative process built around one idea: the time is now.

Most people are moving so fast, they never stop long enough to actually see themselves.

And even if they did—they wouldn’t know what to do with what they found.

Over the course of 31 nights, you’ll begin building a body of work rooted in:

the self

Through self-portrait, prompts, writing, and visual journaling, you’ll begin to uncover patterns, themes, and ideas that move beyond surface-level work.

You’ll be creating consistently—both in and out of the studio—building enough work to start recognizing something most artists never fully see:

the sea you’re swimming in

And this is where authentic signature styles begin to emerge.

We’ll revisit your work together in each session—helping you identify what’s showing up, what’s repeating, and what’s worth pushing further.

• Saturday, May 9 — 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Saturday, May 23 — 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Saturday, June 6 — 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Your registration includes all three sessions.

• Guided prompts rooted in self-portrait, identity, and personal narrative
• A structured framework for building a 31-night sequence of work
• Writing + visual response (drawing, mixed-media, layering)
• A balance of structure and freedom—rules and rule-breaking
• Time to create, reflect, and identify patterns in your work

• All materials provided
• Personalized guidance throughout the experience
• A curated studio environment in the arts district of Chestertown

We meet for three studio sessions, but the real work happens between them.

Participants are expected to create outside of the studio—building toward 3 works of art at their own pace, with the expectation of at least 30 minutes per day on each drawing.

These don't have to be perfect.
These don't have to be finished.

Just Consistent. Honest. Real.

Artists, educators, and creative individuals at any level who want to:

• explore themselves and their signature style through their work
• move beyond surface-level art
• develop a more personal visual language

No experience necessary—just a willingness to show up and engage with the process.

This is an intentionally small, studio-based experience designed to allow for depth, personal attention, and meaningful work.

$425 per participant (covers all three sessions)

Due to the limited number of spots and the nature of this experience, all registrations are non-refundable.

You won’t finish these works all in the studio.

You’ll begin something there. Something powerful. Something meaningful.

And what you discover along the way—that’s where the real work begins.

Info: Session 1 — The Portal (Entry into the Self)

We begin by establishing your visual journal and stepping into the first self-portrait.

Through guided writing and prompts, you’ll start identifying initial themes, words, and ideas—creating your entry point into the work.

This is where the process begins.

Session 2 — Pattern & Recognition

We revisit the work created between sessions and begin identifying what’s emerging:

recurring imagery
repeated words
emotional patterns

You’ll start to recognize the “sea you’re swimming in” and push your work with greater intention.

Session 3 — Refinement & Voice

We focus on your strongest pieces—refining, editing, and shaping your work into something more cohesive.

This is where your visual language begins to take form.

You’ll leave with:

a clearer sense of direction
a stronger connection between your life and your work
and the tools to continue the process beyond the 31 nights

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher MBELLART Productions, LLC