Michelle Austen is a full-time Calgary artist. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Michelle has called Calgary home since 1979. Her focus is on creating artwork that reflects her inner self… an untiring passion to produce colorful and exciting expressions in oil, watercolor and acrylic that play on our emotions. Michelle is a fervent plein-air painter with a focus on Western Canadian landscape and floral subject matter.
Michelle is currently represented by Masters Gallery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Michelle’s art work has been featured in numerous private solo exhibitions, Ranchmen’s Club Annual Emerging Artist Event, Calgary Stampede Annual Western Showcase and Leighton Art Centre. Her artwork is owned by several companies and private collectors. Her artistic inspiration and enthusiasm have led to Michelle be invited by the Calgary School Board to participate in their Artist-in-Residence program to teach art to hundreds of elementary students each year. Additionally, dozens of Calgary youth and adults benefit each year from her private art instruction classes.
For additional information visit www.michelleausten.ca
Statement
Painting is where I get to show up and experience what I am feeling in any given moment.
Without judgment, I let things flow... unfold naturally. I become an observer. The process and medium is chosen to best reflect what I am trying to express at that moment.
I am a painter who works in oil, acrylic and watercolor. I choose my medium depending on my inspiration and the feeling I want to achieve in the painting I am creating. I love to use color, texture, layering, glazing, and words to express my intention for the piece. Painting truly has made me realize that the fun and excitement is in the journey not the end result. I am constantly humbled and in the next moment exhilarated.
The process of painting teaches me to look inward and listen to direction. Each painting begins with a vision, as I watch it unfold it reminds me of the constant ebb and flow of life. Teaching me patience, acceptance and courage to keep exploring.
A successful piece to me is one where energy and life flow is experienced between a 2-dimensional surface and myself, and then is spread further to be felt by the viewer.
I hope to encourage the viewer to take the time to breath, reflect and slow down enough to realize the beauty continually unfolding around us.
Michelle Austen
Copyright© 2023 Michelle Austen
All images of art work displayed cannot be modified, used or distributed in any way without the permission of the artist.