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News & events
Studio notes, new paintings, exhibitions and auctions — written by Michele since 2017.
The Art of Choosing Brushes
A Guide to the Names and Types If you’ve ever wandered through an art supply store, you’ve likely been overwhelmed by the sheer variety of brushes.…
Peggy Guggenheim
Peggy Guggenheim was one of the most influential patrons of modern art in the 20th century, known for her keen eye for talent and her...
Action Painting
Action painting, a key movement within Abstract Expressionism, emerged in the 1950s as a dynamic and highly expressive approach to art....
New Painting "Love, Alice"
Alice Keck Memorial Gardens is a special place of mine. I often paint there and reflect on its peaceful beauty This landscape painting...
New Beach Prints Available !
I have a few paintings that are now available as prints. See the link here
Hirshhorn Museum REVOLUTIONS: ART FROM THE HIRSHHORN COLLECTION, 1860–1960
I had the pleasure of visiting the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., and it was nothing short of inspiring. From the moment I stepped...
Art History
Art History A lot is expected of artists’ paints: permanence, ease of use, reliability of tone, and capability of modification with both...
5x5 Auction! 2023
Don't miss out on this art auction! I have 3 donations and starting bids are $25.
Connecting with Artists...
Artists living and working by the ocean brings one a sense of awareness not only to the surroundings but for me it produces awe and a...
Mixing Paint
A student asked me when starting to paint, what colors do I need to start out with? With so many colors available, which ones should you...
Art Center College of Design
It was an incredible experience and a long 4 years and hard work but that's what made it all worthwhile!
New Drawings on Paper
I've just finished 3 new expressive watercolors on paper. These beautiful abstract pieces feature layers of watercolor combined with...
Basquait
An artist who continues to inspire me is Jean Michel Basquait. The appeal of Basquiat's work has always been “a combination of raw...
Working Large!
I will be adding 2 new large abstracts to my website! I’ve had requests for very large abstract paintings and for me it was always very...
New Collection!
Take a look at my new collection of Botanical paintings and drawings. These pieces are unframed but can easily fit in a standard frame...
Enter the Wild With Care
Just finished this large abstract landscape titled ‘Enter the Wild With Care” 36x36 This painting is very expressive with lots of...
Études Botaniques
I’ve started a new collection of small botanical paintings. Here is one that is almost complete. The new collection will be available...
Take Me Back
A new painting on my website for sale. Please message me if you have any questions! Take Me Back 36x36 $2800 Mixed media on canvas...
Work in Progress
This is a work in progress and I am happy with the direction that it is going. I remember a trip I took to Nice, France and the drive to...
How I Start a Painting
Sometimes a blank canvas can be intimidating or if it’s big, the size can be overwhelming. I usually paint to music and that genre choice...
Canvas, Paint, Action!
Prepping canvases today!👩🎨 Busy time of year with the Holidays coming!
Under the Surface
New painting titled ‘Under the Surface’ in bold expressive brush strokes. This painting is 24x30 on gallery stretched canvas, ready to...
New Beginnings
It’s always an exciting time when you unwrap a new canvas and start thinking about the next painting. Sometimes inspiration is all we...
Commission a Painting!
COMMISSION INQUIRY If you are interested in having a piece commissioned, please contact me directly. I love working directly on custom...
Spring has Sprung
Spring is such a beautiful season and as an artist, it is one that I love the most for many reasons. Temperatures are milder, the birds...
Become Your Chorus 3
This is a new figurative drawing in ink that I just finished and it is the third one in the series. It was created from some of my figure...
Urban
Here is a new painting titled Urbania and was inspired by the east coast and the urban area. This painting is 36x48 on gallery wrapped...
"Just Look"
Take a look around you today. There is so much to see.
10 West Gallery Exhibit
I have 5 new paintings at 10 West Gallery. Opening reception Thursday, March 5, 2020. Hope to see you there! 10 West Gallery 10 W....
Trompe l’oeil!
Interesting how light plays an important role in colors....
My Sketchbook Toolbox
My subscribers have asked me, "what tools do I carry in my traveling sketchbook kit “? I always have pencils, fountain pens, fine line...
Phthalo Blue
In my experience, Phthalo blue (pronounced thay -low ) is one of the hardest colors to control. A well-appointed palette for the...
What Artists Should Know About Working with an Interior Designer
“People hire designers who have an aesthetic and style that resonates with them. It's the same principle for buying art from an artist....
Second Nature Series
A new acrylic painting from my Second Nature series 6.5 x 6.5. 'Out of the Blue' Acrylic and Watercolor
10 West Gallery Exhibit
Working on some new paintings for my upcoming exhibit!
100 Grand! Opens December 6, 2018
(100+ Works of Art for $1,000 or less each) WORKS GO ON SALE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 OPENS: 1st THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 FROM 5–8pm RUNS:...
Le Femme Nue
A new painting inspired by de Kooning. Mixed media on canvas framed in maple floater frame 24x24
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Off to San Rafael, California ...hard to let this one go but it will be in a wonderful home! Urban View 24x48 Mixed media on canvas
BIG JOAN and little joan
Throughout my college years, and my decision to become an artist, Joan Mitchell has always been a HUGE an inspiration to me. Joan Mitchell
Studio Time
Today has been a busy day in the studio getting ready for my Open Studio Tour. For more information see details in blog. This year I am...
Open Studio Tour 2018!
Lots of new work in progress for my upcoming Open Studio Tour Labor Day weekend! Santa Barbara Studio Artists are distinguished from...
An Artists Story
Plein Air
Painting outside the studio is something I enjoy doing on a regular basis. Butterfly Beach, Montecito is one place I could paint a...
Dining Cars Buelton
If you have taken a road trip just north of Santa Barbara, you might have noticed just off the 101 there used to be an old diner off...
Sketches
Art isn't about how quickly you can complete it. But sometimes it's nice to have the option of creating a great-looking drawing or...
Jean Michel Basquait
New Drawings
I am currently working on some new drawings on paper using different mediums and techniques. Some of the drawings were done on trips to...
Below Shoreline
Though we do need rain in small doses, it was another beautiful winter day in paradise. This spot is just below Shoreline Park where I...
New Year, New Work
I've been working on some new paintings this month and experimenting with color, different tools, and other surfaces. These pieces are...
Georgia O'Keefe
Georgia O’Keeffe is one of the most significant and intriguing artists of the twentieth century, known internationally for her boldly...
Passages
I created this painting on linen canvas, which has a different feel than cotton canvas. I am experimenting with some new techniques ...
Best Show in Town
Don't miss this one. 100 GRAND Opening Thursday Dec 7! Hope to see you there! I have a piece in this show titled 'Flowers in My Sky'
Brush Cleaner
You can always find ways to save money on art supplies! I found this brush cleaner video to be very helpful.
Working with Nature
I had the opportunity to take a trip up north last week and sketch outside of my studio. It's a good practice to leave the studio space...
Dessert with Wayne Thiebaud
Wayne Thiebaud was a constant inspiration throughout my college years and continues to be. I recently viewed some of his luscious...
Exploring Watercolor
A beautiful medium.
Behind Closed Doors Jim Carrey
Inspiring video... and hopefully it motivates you as it did for me. 'I love being alive and the art is the evidence of that'
Le Mur des Je t'aime
People all over Paris are in LOVE... During a trip to Paris, I was inspired by the wall, Le mur des je t'aime...
Callum Donovan Grujicich Sculptures
You may find this kid's art pretty scary, but he politely disagrees. What a talented young man he is. Love...
Upcoming Exhibit
Hope you can join me opening night at MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery!
Golden Dawn
I enjoy working in oils. The main advantages of oil paints are their flexibility and depth of color. They can be applied in many...
Santa Barbara Artists Studio Tours 2017
See you in September! September 1-4, 2017 2017 Opening Reception Friday, September 1 5:00 - 8:00 PM 10 West Gallery 10 West Anapamu...
Mineral Specimans
I am always interested in seeing how my work looks when it leaves my studio and finds its new home. A painting from my Full Circle...
Sneak Peak!
A new painting ready to find a new home. Colors include soft greens, yellows and grey blues. Affirmation 24x24 Acrylic on canvas
Canvas, Prints, and Frames
Interested in framing? Framebridge.com has a nice selection of frames for canvas or prints. Here are 2 of my works available as prints or...
Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
This painting sold during my Studio Tour 2016. Lots of new work coming this year!
A Very Large Commission
Currently I am working on a large commission painting of the Channel Islands. The size is 37x103. I hope to finish by the end of July!.
Summer is Here!
Just finished these oceanscape paintings which will be on display during my Open Studio Tour in September ....Busy days ahead in the...
Looking for Original Art for only $100?
This Sunday is the opening reception for ArtSEE, a special event to benefit SEE International. There will be a display of original...
Night Blossoms in progress...
Starting some new work for my Open Studio Tour in September. Here is the painting in progress. I was inspired by the photograph below....
Breezy Warm Day
Today in Santa Barbara, a few painters and I decided to do some plein air painting at the beach. The weather conditionts were perfect,...
New Giclee Print
Destination 30x40 Mixed media on canvas This painting sold and found a new home in San Francisco. Giclee prints are available from 18x24...
Inspiration is everywhere
It's not hard to get inspired from nature living in beautiful Santa Barbara! Especially this time of the year. Santa Barbara Island The...
Santa Barbara Studio Tours
I will be participating in the Santa Barbara Open Studio tours.... COMING Labor Day weekend Mark you calendars! September 1-4, 2017...
News is on its way.