This is a recently finished painting I have showing at my home gallery until the time comes for my solo show at the Partners Hall Gallery at the Algonquin Theatre this October. The show is also titled: “One World We Share.”
The Barn Owl is endangered in Canada. At first glance, this looks like a regular wildlife scene, but a closer look tells more… This is art with a message, with the destruction of habitat and the species represented by the cracking in the bark that is also spreading into the side of the owl. Its talons grip the branch that is in danger of breaking away from the tree. The snow is accumulating. “Don’t Let Me Fade Away” is mixed media on a 18” x 36” gallery wood panel.
A video with close-up zoom can be seen here.
About the artist:
As a wildlife and landscape artist, I paint flora and fauna subjects from around the world, often endangered species and the keystone species of our planet. I paint to share my love of creation, and to increase awareness of its beauty and our obligation to care for it.
Always observing nature with wonder, I’ve been a self-taught and very intentional artist since before I was 5 years old. After many years invested in detailed drawing (realism), I began to prefer a looser style, so I explored every art medium I could find. What emerged was a special love for colour and texture, which is evident in my style of wildlife art and landscapes.
Every painting is planned in theory, but I seek whenever possible to paint intuitively, because too much careful planning can interfere with the creative outflow. I begin with a sketch, and I do an underpainting to set the tone of the painting. If any texture “sculpting” is needed, from the delicate shaping of strands of animal fur to the coarseness of granite rock, that is an ongoing process of building depth, while keeping the layers thin. I work with high-quality acrylic paints and materials, and I have experimented with acrylic mediums to find what works best to achieve my desired “3D” effects.
My works must be seen in person to fully enjoy them! I hope you will see my love for artistic expression and share my love for the natural world!
Currently, I live year round in Bracebridge, Ontario, and I am continually inspired by the beauty of the nature that surrounds me in Muskoka.
You can find out more about Michelle and the Vine Art Gallery here.
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