artist biography
Having grown up along the New Jersey shore, Michelle’s style emerged from childhood memories of the boardwalk amusements, rides, and games, as well as the roadside americana she encountered on family trips. Her penchant for days gone by shows up in her imagery, which often brings vintage iconography into a quirky modern narrative. It’s no surprise to learn that Michelle’s background is in graphic design and advertising, which is evidenced by the strength of composition, color, and use of text in her work.
For more than 10 years, Michelle’s mixed media work has been exhibited in galleries and eclectic establishments throughout New Jersey and New York, including cities like the iconic Asbury Park and trendy suburb of Yonkers. What’s significant about her gallery presence is the amount of time viewers linger over her work, and the consistent preview and opening night sales.
Michelle’s art has been published in 11 magazines and books, including Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, Haute Handbags, and Who’s Your Dada. She’s earned national awards from Hush Puppies for her advertising campaigns, and received the Jean Townsend Award for her sideshow twins assemblage, Willie & Tillie. She has led workshops, given lectures, and demonstrated for various local and national art communities, and enjoys coaching other artists.
Michelle lives in a 100-year-old house in the quaint victorian seashore town of Ocean Grove, NJ where she makes art in her home studio.
ART EXHIBITIONS: GROUP SHOWS
2020
Women’s Work • Art629 • Asbury Park, NJ
Winter Exhibition • Warburton Galerie • Yonkers, NY
2018
Inaugural Exhibition • Warburton Galerie • Yonkers, NY
The Locals • Art629, Asbury Park, NJ
Just A Big Mix-Up • Oyster Point Hotel, Red Bank, NJ
Recycled • Art629, Asbury Park, NJ
2016
This & That • Heaven Art, Asbury Park, NJ
All Things Considered • Monmouth Art Alliance, Red Bank, NJ
2015
The New Normal • River Queen Artisan’s Gallery, Lambertville, NJ
Summer Exhibition • Torché Galerie • Belmar, NJ (July-September)
Spring Exhibition • Torché Galerie • Belmar, NJ (April-June)
Winter Exhibition • Torché Galerie • Belmar, NJ (January-March)
2014
Fall Exhibition • Torché Galerie • Belmar, NJ (October-December)
Spring Exhibition • Torché Galerie, juried group show • Belmar, NJ (April-June)
Idiosyncrazies • featured artist • Point Pleasant, NJ
Art of Whimsicality • featured artist • The Paint Place, Asbury Park, NJ
2012
Monmouth Museum • Lincroft, NJ
Monmouth Festival of the Arts • Tinton Falls, NJ
Beasts (*show award) • Monmouth County Art Alliance, Red Bank, NJ
2011
Dreams • Monmouth Art Alliance, Red Bank, NJ
Collage • Monmouth Art Alliance, Red Bank, NJ
2009
Art in the Round (*winner) • BAC, Belmar, NJ
2008
Art Strings, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Benefit • Newark, NJ
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RETAIL GALLERIES & ECLECTIC ESTABLISHMENTS
2015-2019
Artisan Home & Design • Ocean Grove, NJ
2014
Idiosyncrazies • Point Pleasant, NJ
2013
The Paint Place • Asbury Park, NJ
2012
Flying Saucers • Asbury Park, NJ
The Paint Place • Asbury Park, NJ
Monmouth Museum • Lincroft, NJ
Atomic • Point Pleasant, NJ
La De Da Salon • Shrewsbury, NJ
2011
Flying Saucers • Asbury Park, NJ
2010
Greetings From Geralyn • featured artist • Asbury Park, NJ
Bird • Asbury Park, NJ
2009
Main Avenue Galleria • Ocean Grove, NJ
2008
Main Avenue Galleria • Ocean Grove, NJ
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ART SHOWS
2012
Boardwalk Art Show • Ocean Grove Boardwalk, NJ
Music & Arts Festival • Ocean Grove Boardwalk, NJ
Made In Monmouth • West Long Branch, NJ
Creativity By-the-Sea • Ocean Grove, NJ
2011
Music & Arts Festival • Ocean Grove Boardwalk, NJ
Boardwalk Art Show • Ocean Grove Boardwalk, NJ
Fall Harvest Festival & Craft Show • Ocean Grove, NJ
Hand Made For Hunger Aid • Quaker Inn B&B, Ocean Grove, NJ
2010
Boardwalk Art Show • Ocean Grove Boardwalk, NJ