From Garden Design to the DeYoung: How San Francisco Artist Michellar Found Her Way “Home” Through Songwriting
In a city as vibrant and ever-changing as San Francisco, stories of reinvention are woven into the fog. But few are as deeply moving as that of Michelle Bond, known to the local arts scene as Michellar.
After forty years of channeling her creativity into the soil of garden design and the canvas of visual art, Michelle has finally returned to her first love. With the release of her new pop single, “Promise,” she isn’t just dropping a track—she’s reclaiming a part of herself that stayed quiet for four decades.
The Spark That Reignited Everything
Michelle’s story with music actually started when she was fifteen. Like many of us at that age, she found her voice through songwriting. But as life often does, it took her on a long, winding detour. For forty years, she built a beautiful life around other passions, becoming a respected visual artist and garden designer.
The turning point? A major moment at the DeYoung Museum.
When Michelle was accepted as an exhibiting artist for the 2023 DeYoung Open Exhibition, the recognition did more than just celebrate her visual work. It served as a creative catalyst. That “spark” didn’t just brighten her art; it reignited her music. Suddenly, the songs she hadn’t written for half a lifetime began to pour out again.
Finding “Home” at the Open Mic
If you wander into a neighborhood open mic in San Francisco these days, you’ll likely find Michellar at the front of the room. There’s something incredibly grounded about an artist who has lived a full life before stepping back into the recording booth.
For Michelle, the transition into music production and recording hasn’t just been a hobby—it’s been a homecoming. While she still creates beautiful visual spaces, she describes songwriting as her “most happy place.” It is, quite simply, where she feels at home.
A First Look at “Promise”
Her new single, “Promise,” captures this unique perspective. It’s a pop track infused with the sensibilities of a songwriter who understands texture, color, and growth—traits she clearly carried over from her years in art and garden design.
The song feels authentic because it is authentic. It’s the sound of someone who stopped waiting for permission to be heard.
What makes Michellar’s sound stand out:
-
Life Experience: Her lyrics carry a weight and wisdom you don’t often find in standard pop.
-
Artistic Fusion: You can hear the “visual” nature of her writing; she builds soundscapes like she builds gardens.
-
Local Soul: Her music is a product of the San Francisco creative community she has been a part of for years.
What’s Next for Michellar?
Michelle is currently deep in the realm of music production, turning decades of stored-up inspiration into a catalog of new work. For those who feel like it’s “too late” to chase a dream, Michellar is the living, breathing proof that the timing is only right when you decide it is.
Stream “Promise” today and follow Michelle’s journey as she proves that no matter how long the detour, you can always find your way back to your true north.
FOLLOW ON: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
🔥 Limited Time: Get 55% OFF All Plans - Ends in: 