‘I seek to celebrate observation, working from direct visual stimulus and painting from life.  I first focus on the simplicity or complexity of shape and then the contrast or subtle color shifts with in those shapes.’

Growing up in the Sierra Nevada of California, Michele loves to be outdoors. She lived on the western slope of the Tetons in Wyoming for 25 years and is currently in Southwest Colorado as a full time artist.

In 2021 Michele was awarded Best of Show at “Painting the Enchanted Circle”- a PAPNM Nationally Juried Paint Out and Show in Taos, New Mexico as well as a first place award from PAAC in 2020 for their Nationally Juried Show. She has participated in the American Impressionists Society Online Exhibition (2022); Fechin Juried Small Works Show (2019); Maynard Dixon Country as a guest artist (2018); LPAPA “Less is More” Juried Show (2017); PAAC juried shows (2015-2024); first place (2020), award of merit (2022, 2023); PAPNM juried shows (2016-2024; Best of Show 2021); and Wyoming Governor’s Show with a purchase award (2012-2016). Michele also has had the privilege to be resident artist, 2014 to 2019, at the Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Her work has been represented in Plein Air Magazine, ‘Eleven Artists to Collect Now’ (2020), Plein Air Portfolio ‘Back on the Farm’ Expanded Digital Edition (2022), the Teton Valley News, ‘Shadow Shapes; A Solo Show’ (2018).

After receiving her B.A. Degree in Studio Art at the University of California, Michele continued her education with a teaching credential in Art at California State University, teaching art, K-12 for 25 years.

"I have rarely observed the gritted determination to ‘know a place’ that Michele dis-

plays. Transitioning from the landscape of the West Tetons to the Four Corners, she

has shown that repeated direct study through painting is the best way to learn

about a landscape. Her intricate and structural depictions of sage and cedar are so

acutely observed that they are rendered with delightful individual character and

personality. Her work is both powerful and joyful, and most importantly authentic –

I think she might just have a little bit of Maynard’s Dixon’s soul in her." Jill Carver