Michelle Courier
A second generation artist, Michelle grew up inspired by her father who always reminded her, “Make your own mark”. Eventually receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she embarked on her artistic career straight out of college, focusing on portrait pieces and a series showcasing Miami. Eventually transitioning to landscapes, Michelle became recognized as “the Lake Tahoe Painter”, influenced by the majestic scenery she visited with her family every year as an impressionable young girl, a place she has continued to visit every year since.
Born and raised in Michigan, Michelle always felt a calling out West, and in 2016, she took a leap of faith and followed her heart out to Denver, Colorado, taking on the next major chapter of her “art life”, opening Westward Gallery. Feeling a new found creativity, now free to explore new concepts with her brush, Michelle gained immediate notoriety for her playful candy-colored aspens and gummy bears, which continue to be her most sought after creations. Not only showcasing her own work in the charming three thousand square foot corner gallery in the historic Tennyson Art District, Michelle represented over thirty local artists during the gallery’s successful seven year tenure.
Her acrylic creations have been described as both impressionism and realism. Viewed up close, there is clearly a feel of impressionism, famous by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh, and Cézanne. But take several steps back, and you are whisked into a photographic realism. With a continued calling to explore different areas of the country, as well as a desire to get back to simply being an artist, Michelle made the decision to close Westward in the Fall of 2023 after an amazing seven year run, with not a moment of regret. Already adding a commission project of twenty eight original pieces of work for an upcoming new hospital in Golden, Colorado, Michelle is back full time in her studio… her happy place! Her work has been on display in galleries nationwide since 1989, and can be found on the walls of art connoisseurs and collectors in homes and corporations across North America, Europe and Asia.