Meet Paul Michel of Mountain vs Plains in RiNo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Michel.

Paul, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Originally from the Denver area, I had been living for several years in Portland, Gunnison, and Austin. Upon returning to Denver in 2011, I started illustrating/drawing/painting much more prolifically and began incorporating humor into my work, as that was always a passion.

I began to create greeting cards after working for a local shop that carried cards. Feeling that I could design cards that were absurd, bizarre and irreverent, I began to make them in late 2011. The business slowly developed and I started to work full-time on Mountain vs Plains in 2013.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I suppose it’s been somewhat smooth (?) I’ve felt continually compelled to continue down this creative path, so that hasn’t really been something I’ve questioned all that much. Working for yourself and attempting to make a career with your art is definitely a path full of challenges, so that is something that I’ve had to embrace. That is probably the biggest struggle for me and also one of the most exhilarating aspects of doing what I do- the unknown.

Please tell us about Mountain vs Plains.
Mountain vs Plains specializes in comedic goods, most of which are paper goods/stationary/etc.

I suppose what sets it apart is the absurd comedic aspect of the work. I have always really enjoyed making people laugh, so the aim of Mountain vs Plains has always been to do just that. From the beginning, I wanted to make mostly “no-occasion” cards that people would want to buy in bunches and figure out later who to send them to.

Comedic writing has always been a passion, and Mountain vs Plains has allowed me to make a living doing that.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Hmmmmmm… good question.

I don’t really know, nor have I really thought about it all that much. I really do feel like life is a strange/bizarre/beautiful journey, and every single thing that has happened has been an integral part of my story.

Specifically, with running your own business, there are so many lessons you are always learning, and there is value in absolutely all of these often difficult lessons.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3851 N Steele St
  Unit E
  Denver, CO 80205
• Website: www.mountainvsplains.com
• Phone: 970-208-5244
• Email: mountainvsplains@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mountainvsplains

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