Michelle Sakhai believes and trusts in the energy of the creative spirit as a healing force on the earth. Michelle conveys this valuable message of healing through her art, her speaking engagements and teaching Transformative Art. Sakhai's extensive world travels, which began at an early age and her mixed heritage have shaped her as an artist. With both Persian and Japanese roots, Michelle’s art derives influences from both cultures. She grew up traveling to Japan to visit her family every summer for twenty years. In Japan, Michelle was inspired by the culture and scenery of her grandparent’s home town, Kashiwazaki; a tiny village by the black Sea, surrounded by vast mountains. This special place left an indelible impression that still today feeds her imagination. Michelle’s creative perception and talent was also nurtured by her Persian culture. The exposure to both traditions in her young life has impacted her artistic vision. Sakhai received a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors, majoring in Art History and minoring in Fine Arts from Hofstra University. She went on to receive her Masters in Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. She has studied in Venice, Italy, at d'Arts Plastique I Disseny, also known as LLOTJA, in Barcelona, Spain, and with the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Michelle also received a grant to attend the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT and traveled to France to study at the Marchutz Academy of Fine Art in Aix en Provence. Michelle has maintained a studio in San Francisco, where she also taught Fine Art at the University of California, Berkeley. Michelle Sakhai is a certified Reiki Master. She is also a certified Primordial Sound Meditation instructor through the Chopra Center. Sakhai currently works and resides in New York City while continuing to travel the world.