Meet the Artist
Michelle is a multi-talented artist based out of the small town of Hope which is nestled between the rugged Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges of the Idaho Panhandle. She lives on a game preserve with her athlete husband and three amazing kids. Michelle considers herself a child of the west coast, having been born in a small southern California surfing community before relocating to the place she now calls home.
Michelle discovered the art of stippling after a voice came to her in a local art gallery that said she was going to stipple the modern and historic American west. She knew immediately what that calling would look like. As a child, she was inspired by the works of photographer, Ansel Adams and others who had captured the vast and rugged terrains of the Western United States. Michelle’s work is highly detailed and time-consuming. For those that don’t know, stippling is a technique that uses a multitude of tiny ink .01mm dots to capture various textures and contrasts. The process itself takes an incredible amount of time, patience and discipline. “It is an intense art form,” says Michelle. “There is no room for error in the types of art I create and that is the challenge that keeps me intrigued.”
Along with stippling, Michelle also taught herself the art of antler carving. Michelle creates intricately carved moose paddles that correspond to the story her stippled art creates. “The two work in tandem,” she says. “One piece of art playing off the story line of the other.” Both styles of art reflect her love and passion for the rugged and natural environments she loves.
With her talent, Michelle has created a company of timeless art and design where a portion of everything sold is given back to charities and organizations she believes in. Michelle is driven by a deep desire to serve others and to give back. This is the essence of who she is. For Michelle, art not only has to tell a story and create an emotional connection to the audience, it also has to be a form of philanthropy. It is her way to serve God and the greater good.