​Artist  Statement

I have painted all of my life.  When I walk into my studio, an altered state of consciousness falls over me like a mantle.  I have worked in many different media, but over the years watercolor has become primary. TEST

 The unpredictable nature of the controlled accident, the required immediacy and freshness, the challenge of having to get it right the first time, make watercolor my ideal medium.  I feel as if the paint itself has a personality with which I work in harmony.  There is resistance, there is a very distinct nature that must be understood and respected.  Everything is not under my control, but by being sensitive to the nature of the paint, controlled accidents can become invited miracles.

 Water is an archetypal symbol for consciousness, emotion, and for spirituality.  Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to watercolor as a medium, why I find it to be a pathway into my own soul.

 I believe that our souls can meet and communicate through art, and so I feel that a part of me speaks through my art on a spiritual level...

Biography

A graduate of the University of Washington School of Art, her thirst for adventure drew Michelle to the sea.  In her youth, she sailed to the farthest reaches of the world on NOAA research ships. Throughout her travels she recorded the marvels she saw in sketchbooks. Marrying and settling down in Washington State, Michelle embarked on a period of artistic growth. Over the years of continued work and study, she developed a passion for watercolor.  With a focus on color and composition, her love of nature and the outdoors infuses her Northwest landscapes. Water figures prominently in her work as a symbol of emotion and spirituality.

 Michelle's work has been included in numerous art shows and competitions, as well as in private and public collections throughout the Northwest.