Local photographer shares her captivating story as a working artist

Published December 9, 2025

BY THEA MILLER

Michelle Magdalena Maddox never planned to be an artist, but she fell into a life she describes as difficult yet ultimately worth it. 

The Pacific-Grove-born, third-generation artist, photographer and journalist had toyed with various media all her life–specifically acting–before falling in love with photography her junior year at Pacific Grove High School. After that, there was no turning back, and while Magdalena is candid about the struggles of being a working artist, she still would recommend it to anyone.

“Follow your passions,” Magdalena urges.

Big Sur, where she currently resides, is a constant, ever-changing inspiration for photography-based creatives, which is obvious in her dark, primal photographs of wild and wounded women such as “Magnolia” and “Amish Confession,” for which her artist statement reveals her wish to illuminate the suppressed divine feminine. Part of her trademark is using contrasting aesthetics to convey seemingly opposing messages, producing a subversively intriguing effect.

“The seasons of your creativity will come and go, and you have to try to restore your inspiration,” Magdalena says. “That is the time to explore.”

Growing up in a family of artists, Magdalena, after a few false starts, found a burgeoning community of artists on the Monterey Peninsula.  She joined the Youth Art Collective, a program that provides a space for young people to create and further develop artistic talents, primarily in visual media.

The artist and documentarian has created and shown some of her most expansive work while living on the Peninsula, including her magazine, Magdalena, made from 100% recycled materials and the project she takes the most pride in. 

“I want to make people feel things,” Magdalena says, “to get an emotional response.”

Pursuing a career in the arts might seem unlikely or arduous, but the photographer stresses the sheer possibility of pursuing art, especially in today’s technology-filled world.  She cites the accessibility of high-quality art education on what she calls “YouTube University.” While in-person art school teaches much about the technicalities, the artist stresses that real-world experiences come from sinking teeth into the industry. 

There are, of course, challenges Magdalena doesn’t shy away from.

“It’s not like you show up to work and get a paycheck,” Magdalena says. “You have to hustle.” 

At the start of her career, Magdalena describes being shackled by student loan debt and falling victim to what she calls predatory lending that resulted in career setbacks, leading her to implore younger people to study business and the logistics of economics. 

“What I learned is that being an artist is a commercial endeavor, a business,” Magdalena says. “Take it seriously. You’re not going to be able to sustain yourself unless you learn the business.” 

Magdalena wishes her story to serve as a reminder that it is possible to pursue art and that opportunities for exploration and innovation are all around. As a testament to the common phrase “where there is a will, there is a way,” Magdalena has carved an identity and a career out of unforgiving odds and paths untaken.