Michelle studied Textile Design at RMIT, graduating in 1981 and has 35 years’ experience establishing her own creative business. She has also curated exhibitions, displayed her work in galleries throughout Australia and sold her work around the world.
‘My work is an expression of my life, my life full of happiness, joy, a beautiful family, good friends and laughter. My inspiration comes from warm winter sun, the sound of the ocean, darting dragonflies, places I have been, family holidays, first spring gardens and everyday life. To wake each day knowing I will be creating an art work that brings joy to those who see it is very fulfilling. From the time of our birth we are surrounded by colour and texture. The softness of baby’s skin, butterfly kisses laid gently on our cheeks. As we move through our life, colour and texture bring to us emotive feelings, memories good and bad. Colour and texture affect our emotions, the motion and blueness of the sea, the first stirrings of spring. I am passionate about my art, created with joy, love and passion, often evoking a feeling of happiness in others. When I sell a piece of my work it is a sense of loss personally as each piece has a piece of me in it.’ Michelle’s art includes a range of media. Hand painted silks, a variety of fabrics, yarn, threads, paper and other treasures are collected and drawn together by freehand machine embroidery to create joyful, textual and vibrant pieces. These include framed wall art, wearable art and unique home wares. Michelle hand paints her silks and collects threads, cords, ribbons, found objects and paper. She builds up layers of colour and texture, tearing, folding, cutting, twisting, raw edges, fraying and loves the way silk absorbs and reflects colour. She also embellishes her work with hand stitching, beading and collaging. Michelle does not work from drawings, and so each art piece evolves as she makes it – she never knows what will inspire her to go in a new direction, try some new ingredient or push herself to experiment with something novel. Exhibitions Crafts Victoria exhibition – 1982 Cuppacumbalong Gallery ACT – 1983 to 1988 Beaver Galleries Wearable art – 1985 and 1986 Wyreena Art Gallery – 1994 Skepsi Gallery – 2001 Solo exhibitions – Togs Castlemaine – 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012 – Stonehouse Gallery – 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010 – Yering Station Gallery – 2012 Residencies and Symposia Artist in residence – Boronia Heights Primary school – 1997 – Residence Range View Primary School – 2002 Tutor Australian Quilters Association symposium – 2001 Tutor Australian Quilters Association symposium – 2003 Awards Mount View art show – Guest artist – 2010 and 2011 – 2010 best other medium – 2011 encouragement award – 2012 best other medium – 2013 best other medium Derinya art show – Guest artist – 2007 – 2009 Best other medium – 2009 People’s choice award Caulfield Grammar art show – 2008 People’s choice award Acquisitions Yarra Valley Grammar School Breast Screen Victoria Warrnambool Hospital Other smaller public institutions and private businesses |
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