Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bliss.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed that art has a way of bringing people together. What started as a passion for art, poetry, photography, and filmmaking when I was a teenager eventually became a lifelong journey of creativity, community, faith, and connection. Looking back, I can see how God has guided me through each chapter of that journey, often putting people and opportunities in my path that I couldn’t have planned myself.
Born in 1971, I grew up in Colorado, and at 24 I moved to Austin, Texas, to study and pursue filmmaking. Austin became an important chapter in my life. I had an art studio and worked at the ArtPlex, where I helped Neil Coleman with his Pro-Jex business. Neil framed artwork and organized gallery exhibits featuring many talented artists. Through the ArtPlex and my work helping Neil, I became surrounded by painters, photographers, theater companies, filmmakers, writers, teachers, students, and other creative people.
The ArtPlex was truly a creative oasis. Walking through its halls meant discovering galleries and studios filled with people making art, telling stories, and sharing their work. Artists would open their studio doors, welcome people in, and invite others to come in and see what they were creating. There was a real spirit of camaraderie and creativity. Everyone seemed to feed off one another’s energy, ideas, and passion. That experience left a lasting impression on me and became a big part of what I believe a creative community can be.
While helping Neil with Pro-Jex, we framed artwork for many artists, photographers, filmmakers, and directors. Through that work, I had the opportunity to meet people such as Richard Linklater, Quentin Tarantino, Mike Judge, and many others. Those experiences connected my love of art with my passion for filmmaking. That passion eventually led me to work on the set of Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty, where I worked behind the scenes and also appeared in the film as a news cameraman, teacher, and extra in several scenes.
The ArtPlex also introduced me to my friend Gary Pedon, who was one of its owners. After Gary passed away, I wanted to create something that would honor his memory and celebrate the creative community we shared. In 1999, I created Blissfest333, a multimedia cultural arts and film festival dedicated to bringing people together while supporting important causes.
Blissfest333 became much more than a festival. Over the years, it supported causes including AIDS awareness, premature babies and their families, abused animals, homelessness, poverty, and people with disabilities. One of the most personal experiences behind the festival was the birth of my son Austin, who was born prematurely at just one pound, fifteen ounces. His struggle to survive became the inspiration behind Blissfest 3, a benefit for premature infants and their families. It showed me firsthand how powerful it can be when people come together for something bigger than themselves.
I eventually moved back to Colorado to be with my mother, who passed away in 2003. Since then, I’ve continued building relationships throughout the film, television, arts, and nonprofit communities. Through all of these experiences, I’ve come to believe more and more that God has been guiding my journey—sometimes through opportunities I understood immediately and sometimes through circumstances whose purpose only became clear years later.
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been my family. In 2013, I married my high school love, Bonnie Bliss. After all the different paths life had taken us on, finding our way back to each other was incredibly special. Together, we have built a beautiful family with five children and six grandchildren. They are a huge part of who I am and a reminder that, beyond all the films, art, festivals, and projects, the relationships we build and the people we love are what matter most.
The number 333 has been an important part of my creative journey since I created Blissfest333 in 1999. For me, 333 represents God, creativity, connection, community, purpose, and guidance. It is more than a number or a brand. It is a reminder to keep my creator at the center of what I do, to use the creative gifts I’ve been given, and to remain open to the people and opportunities He places in my path.
Today, I’m bringing all of those experiences together through Studio333 and Create333.
Studio333 is the physical and creative foundation of my vision—a space where artists and creatives can feel at home and where people can come together around Music, Film, Television, Community, and the Arts. I want to recreate the spirit of the ArtPlex: a creative oasis where painters, photographers, filmmakers, musicians, writers, poets, performers, and other creatives can meet, share ideas, show their work, collaborate, and build lasting relationships.
I’m also developing a networking website through Create333, which is an important part of my business plan. My vision is to create an online hub that connects artists and creatives beyond the walls of the studio—a place where they can promote their work, discover opportunities, collaborate, network, and build meaningful relationships with others in the creative community.
For me, Studio333 and Create333 are not about starting something completely new. They are the next chapter of a journey that began with my love of art and filmmaking as a teenager and has continued for decades. From the ArtPlex and the people who inspired me, to Blissfest333, my family, and now Studio333 and Create333, I see a thread running through it all: God, creativity, community, love, and the desire to bring people together.
I’m grateful for the road that brought me here—the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve overcome, and especially the family God has blessed me with. I’m excited for this next chapter and for the opportunity to build something that can continue beyond me, creating a place where future generations of artists and creatives can find their community, discover their gifts, and make a difference.
At the heart of my vision is:
CommUNITY. Create. Collaborate.
And I believe the best is still yet to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been a lot of twists, turns, setbacks, and difficult seasons along the way. Some of my deepest struggles began during my teenage years, when I experienced significant mental and emotional trauma and also struggled with addiction. Those experiences had a profound impact on me and shaped many parts of my life for years.
There were times when I felt lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of who I was or where my life was headed. I carried a lot of pain from those experiences, and it took many years to understand how deeply they had affected me. I made mistakes and went through difficult periods, but I also learned resilience, compassion, forgiveness, and the importance of not allowing my past to determine my future.
Creativity became an important part of my healing and my identity. Art, poetry, photography, and filmmaking gave me a way to express emotions and experiences that were sometimes difficult to put into words. Creating became a way for me to find my voice and keep moving forward.
There have been many other challenges along the way—financial struggles, professional setbacks, projects that didn’t work out, and personal loss, including losing my mother and father. There were certainly times when it would have been easier to give up.
But looking back, I can see that God was working through my journey, even during the darkest chapters when I couldn’t see it. My faith has helped me understand that our past does not have to define our future. The things I went through have given me a deeper understanding of people who are hurting, struggling, or trying to find their way.
I don’t believe those struggles were wasted. They became part of my story and helped shape the person and artist I am today. They taught me perseverance, empathy, and the importance of staying true to who I am.
The road hasn’t been easy, and I’m still growing and learning. But I believe God has continued to guide my steps, bring the right people into my life, and lead me toward a purpose that is bigger than myself. I’m grateful that my story didn’t end in those difficult chapters. I believe God is still writing it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a filmmaker, artist, photographer, and creative organizer with a passion for bringing people and different forms of art together. My work includes independent filmmaking, photography, visual arts, multimedia projects, festivals, and creative events.
Being an independent artist has always been an important part of who I am. I’ve chosen to follow my own creative path led by my creator rather than simply follow trends or try to fit into someone else’s idea of what an artist should be. I like experimenting, taking creative risks, and telling stories in my own way. Staying independent has allowed me to keep my work personal, authentic, and true to my vision.
My filmmaking has also been an important part of that journey. I’ve created a number of independent films, including Cinnamon, Hush Little Baby, Clown, Lazarus 2020, Christ 2022 Dark 24, and CyberOne, along with other projects. Several of my films have received awards and recognition at independent film festivals, which has been an encouraging reminder that there is an audience for creative work made outside of the traditional system.
I’m also the founder of Blissfest333, a multimedia cultural arts and film festival that brings artists, filmmakers, musicians, and the community together while supporting charitable causes. That experience helped shape my belief that the arts can be about much more than creating something—it can be about connecting people and making a positive difference.
What sets me apart is the fact that I’ve never wanted to limit myself to just one area of creativity. I’ve explored filmmaking, photography, visual art, festivals, and community building, and I enjoy bringing people from different creative backgrounds together. I believe some of the best ideas happen when different artists and perspectives come together.
I’m not interested in following a formula. I’m interested in following the path created by my creator and encouraging other artists to find theirs. I believe every creative person has a unique voice, and I want Studio333 and Create333 to be places where people feel free to discover, develop, and share that voice.
Ultimately, what means the most to me is being able to keep creating, remain independent, work with other creative people, and build something that gives artists a place to connect and collaborate.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are really about bringing everything I’ve learned and experienced over the years into the next chapter of my creative journey.
Right now, I’m focused on building Studio333 into a welcoming creative space where artists, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, writers, poets, and other creatives can come together, share their work, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships. I want it to have that same sense of community and camaraderie that I experienced at the ArtPlex—a place where people feel at home, where the doors are open, and where creativity is encouraged.
I’m also developing Create333 as an online network that can connect creatives beyond the physical studio. My vision is for it to become a place where artists can showcase their work, discover opportunities, connect with one another, collaborate, and build their creative careers.
Long term, I would love to grow Studio333 into a larger creative arts center and eventually have a permanent space of our own where we can offer exhibitions, screenings, workshops, classes, performances, networking events, and other opportunities for the creative community.
I also want to continue making films, creating art, and developing new projects. I don’t want to stop creating just because I’m building something bigger. I want my own creative work to continue alongside the community I’m helping build.
Most importantly, I want to continue following the path God has placed in front of me. I don’t know exactly what every step will look like, but I’m excited about the possibilities. I believe there are people I haven’t met yet, stories I haven’t told yet, and creative opportunities I haven’t even imagined yet.
I’m looking forward to seeing what my creator does with it all.
For me, the future is about creating something that lasts—something that brings people together, encourages creativity, helps others discover their gifts, and makes a positive difference in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blissfest333.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bliss_productions333/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelbliss333/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bliss-2637331b
- Twitter: https://x.com/Blissfest333
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelbliss333
