‘Flow’ abstract landscape

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Michelle traces her love of painting back to her late Grandfather, a talented landscape artist. “The smell of oil, turps and the old furniture of his studio blended together and was seared into my memory” she recalls. He and Michelle’s grandmother both painted. Then her Mum and sister also took up the practice, so she was never far from a canvas. One of Michelle’s most treasured memories was painting with her Mum Dorothy who sadly passed away at age 46. It was around a decade before Michelle picked up a brush again. She says, “it has been an emotional journey to end up where I am now as a full-time artist”.
Michelle draws her landscape inspiration from locations mostly along Australia’s east coast. Now living on the Fraser Coast, she continues to seek fresh ideas and opportunities to capture the coastal lighting and flora found uniquely in the region. Michelle’s bold and emotive landscapes have caught the attention of some of Australia’s leading galleries. Her work has been featured on ‘The Block’, ‘Selling Houses Australia’ and on Netflix in the Jessica Watson Biopic ‘True Spirit’.
Michelle’s style leans toward abstract Expressionism although she admits “I always struggle to completely define my work in a traditional context”. She continues “I feel I am most in the zone when the strokes are loose and uninhibited, I do not like to overwork a piece. Some of my paintings are created solely with a Palette knife, some with brushes and others a blend of the two. Sometimes the scene dictates these choices other times it is a mood thing”.
Commenting on her love of all things natural Michelle acknowledges “I am addicted to trees, I adore them. I love being in nature and I am grateful for the creative fuel it provides me. She continues “The land seems to connect with people of all backgrounds in a profound way and if I can evoke a feeling, mood or even a memory with my work I am a very happy, yes, a contented artist”.

Michelle's art is featured on 'THE BLOCK' 2021

https://bluethumb.com.au/blog/interviews/michelle-keighley-interview-creating-blood/