Michelle's art is inspired by her interest and love of North America's most iconic species, such as grizzly bears, gray wolves, and bison. She enjoys working with various mediums, including acrylic, charcoal, graphite, and oil sticks. Many of the principal themes in Michelle's art center around calling the viewer's attention to the simplistic beauty of the initial sketch, which is her favorite part of the artistic process. Michelle grew up in Colorado and spent most of her summers camping and exploring the rocky mountains with her family. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Fine Arts degree in 1995, Michelle honed her painting skills and style while working as a freelance graphic designer. With the desire to move out of the fast-growing landscape of Colorado for a simpler life in the country, Michelle moved to Sheridan Wyoming. Time spent exploring Wyoming, and taking trips to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons helped enrich her passion and reverence for the open landscape and animals that call the beautiful state home. Michelle currently lives in the Verde Valley, just south of Sedona Arizona to be near her daughter, Lauren who is also a wildlife artist represented by Gallery Wild and was recognized in Southwest Art's "21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch in 2020." Artist StatementFor each painting I create, I come to the easel with the goal of evoking the essence of the animal in its wild nature. Movement and balance are key themes I strive to incorporate into my art, as they are also central elements found in nature. Animals are challenged to find balance as they traverse and find space in their ever-changing environments. I utilize loose brushstrokes and illustrative lines to depict the intrinsic yet fragile relationship that wildlife shares with the landscapes they are tied so closely to. I hope my work will bring light to the spirit and energy of the animals I strive to capture, as well as strength and hope for continued reverence and preservation of the wild. Driven by the mantra “honor the wild,” Michelle donates a percentage of her profits from each sale of her work to Defenders of Wildlife. Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is the premier U.S.-based national conservation organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of imperiled species and their habitats in North America. Visit www.defenders.org to learn more.