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 Focal Point: Michele Usibelli
Visit Michele Usibelli's Canvoo Focal Point on the web

Dynamic color, bold brush stokes and luscious paint application establish an intriguing play between shapes. Impressionistic work rich in movement. Each painting is an enticing slice of life.

- Informed Collector

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 Dealers Say:

"Michele's work is characterized by diverse subject matter from cityscapes and still life to landscapes and figurative, but her signature technique is her own unique voice. Through her use of bold, confident brushstrokes and intensity of color Usibelli's paintings have an unmistakable style that is all her own."

Denise Cole, owner
Cole Gallery

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Other Web Pages with info about Michele Usibelli

Michele Usibelli's Main Artist Website

Michele's Blog:

Michele's Facebook Page:

 

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Biography

 

Born in Seattle, Michele Usibelli, AIS, was drawn to art at an early age. After earning her degree in architecture from the University of Washington, Michele combined her dedicated work ethic with her love of travel, working in locations throughout the world. Michele draws upon her extensive travels and life experiences as the basis of her work.

Michele works primarily in oils, with a flavor of impressionism, in her representational style. Her early training established a strong foundation in the Russian Impressionist tradition of seeing and painting shapes of light and color using relatively loose brushstrokes. She has studies extensively and been influenced by numerous historic artists, most notably Nicholai Fechin, John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase. All of these influences have allowed Michele to establish her own unique artistic style and define her as a truly versatile emerging 21st Century American Impressionist. Michele is recognized for her expressive colors and the passionate brushwork she achieves in her portraits, landscapes, still lifes and figurative work.

Michele's award-winning artwork has shown in both group and solo gallery exhibitions, in regional, national and international juried exhibitions, and has won numerous awards. Recently, Michele has followed her passion to teach, conducting ongoing workshops and art demonstrations. She has proven to be a popular juror. Her artwork can be found in public and private collections throughout the world.

Michele has been accepted into the following organizations; Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society/Signature Member, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Women Artists of the West, and Women Painters of Washington.

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Artist Statement

"During my work in architecture, I felt deeply connected to the arts. But I truly discovered my passion when I began to explore oil painting. For me, the process of creating begins with a scene that I feel carries a certain energy and evokes an emotion. I find myself drawn to subject matter with rich colors or intriguing light. The vignettes of everyday life that inspire me to paint, regardless of whether it's a landscape, figurative work, cityscape, or portrait. It is my primary goal to have each artwork I create resonate with energy and the poetry of light. I follow my own 'rule' of painting what is truly important to me and feel very fortunate to be able to share that with all those who support and appreciate my work. There is nothing more gratifying than knowing that my work, which is so important to me, is appreciated by others."

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Select Exhibitions

2011

 

-"The Russell"-Western Masters Art Show & Sale/Great Falls, MT -Women Artists of the West National Juried Exhibition & Sale/Rockport, TX -Sonoma Plein Air 2011/Sonoma, CA -Western Montana Paint Out/Missoula, MT

-Salon International/Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX -Solo Exhibition/Cole Gallery, Edmonds -Anchorage Museum Invitational Art Auction/Anchorage, AK 2010

-Anchorage Museum Invitational Art Auction/Anchorage, AK -Western MontanaPaint Out/Missoula, MT

-26th NW Marine Exhibition/Kirsten Gallery, Seattle -Solo Exhibition/Artique, Ltd., Anchorage, AK -Solo Exhibition/Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA -Paint the Parks 2010, Top 100/Topeka, KS

-Paint the Parks 2010, Top 50 Miniatures/Topeka, KS 2009
-American Impressionist Society, 10th Annual National Juried Exhibition/Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
-Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition/Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
-Salon International/Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
-Solo Exhibition/New Horizons Gallery, Fairbanks, AK
-25th NW Marine Exhibition/Kirsten Gallery, Seattle
-Anchorage Museum Invitational Art Auction/Anchorage, AK

2008

-Solo Exhibition/Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA
-American Impressionist Society, 9th Annual National Juried Exhibition/CODA Gallery, Palm Desert, CA

-Salon International/Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX

-Oil Painters of America's 17th Annual Exhibition of Traditional Oils/Dana Gallery, Missoula. MT

-Anchorage Museum Invitational Art Auction/Anchorage, AK

-Anchorage Symphony's "Artful Violins"/Anchorage, AK

2007

-Salon International/Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX

-American Impressionist Society, 8th Annual National Juried Exhibition/Hilligoss Gallery, Chicago, IL

-Solo Exhibition/Artique, Ltd., Anchorage, AK

-Solo Exhibition/New Horizons, Fairbanks, AK

-Anchorage Museum Invitational Art Auction/Anchorage, AK

-National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society, National Exhibition/traveling exhibit, east coast

-Group Exhibition/Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, WA

2006

-Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition/Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA

-Solo Exhibition/Artique, Ltd., Anchorage, AK

2005

-Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition/Lawrence Gallery, Portland, OR

-American Impressionist Society, 6th Annual National Juried Exhibition


Select Publications

-SW Art's "21 Over 31 Emerging Artists Competition"-Finalist, November 2010

-Best of America Oil Artists, Kennedy Publishing, Spring 2010. Pages 133-134

-Southwest Art "Art Values", September, 2009

-American Art Collector "American Impressionist Society" Group Show Article 2008

-American Art Collector "Oil Painters of America 17th Annual Exhibition Group Show" Article, May 2008, page 108-116

-Seattle Times/Pacific NW Section Feature Article, April 2007

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Upcoming Events and Exhibits

 

Paint the Parks100-2010 Art Competition
-2/28/2012

Michele's piece titled, "Olympic National Park Sky" has been accepted into the top 100 in the Paint the Parks 2010 Art Competition. She also has two pieces, "Morning Solitude" and "Spring Shadows", accepted into the Paint the Parks100-2010 Competition. Please visit www.paintamerica.org for dates and venues for this extremely popular art exhibition.

Paint the Parks Mini50-2010 Art Competition

-2/28/2012

Two small works of Michele's have been accepted into the popular Paint the Parks Mini50-2010 Art Competition. "Winter Retreat" (above) and "Trailside-Zion National Park" will be joining this traveling exhibition commencing August 31, 2010. Please visit www.paintamerica.org for exhibition dates and venues.

"WAOWing the Lone Star Sate", Women Artists of the West
Rockport Center for the Arts
5/11/2011-6/4/2011
Reception: 5/14/2011 (5 pm - 7 pm)

Michele is honored to have three paintings being exhibited at Women Artists of the West's 41st annual, national juried exhibition! Lost In Thought, oil/canvas Mehendi, oil/board

Sonoma Plein Air
Sonoma, California
5/23/2011-5/28/2011

Michele Usibelli, Debra Huse, Eric Bowman, Darrell Hill and other outstanding plein air artists will be participating in Sonoma Plein Air 2011. The week's events include a Quick Draw, Tuesday, May 24, Sonoma Plaza from 5:30-7pm, Gala Dinner and Auction, Friday, May 27, Cline Cellars, 5:30-9pm and an Art Exhibition & Sale, Saturday, May 28, Sonoma Plaza, 10am-5pm

Kansas-150 Art Competition
SouthWind Gallery
6/3/2011-7/15/2011
Reception: 6/25/2011

In 2011, Kansas will celebrate 150 years of statehood. Communities, individuals and state agencies throughout Kansas are planning events to commemorate the 150-year milestone. Through their involvement with Savor Kansas, a new grassroots effort that includes numerous organizations coming together to celebrate and showcase Kansas' arts and culture, SouthWind Gallery has established the Kansas-150 Art Competition. Michele will be exhibiting along with Louise Thies, Debra Jo Groesser, Howard Friedland, Susan Blackwood and many other fine artists. Still Runs, 12x16, acrylic Fresh Bales, 16x12, oil

"Icons of the West"
Dana Gallery
6/16/2011-7/15/2011
Reception: 6/24/2011 (5 pm - 8 pm)

27th Northwest Marine Art Exhibition
Kirsten Gallery
7/10/2011-8/31/2011

"This Montana Place" Expedition
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch
9/11/2011-9/18/2011

September 11-17, 2011 Dunrovin Ranch's This Montana Place Expedition in cooperation with the Boone & Crockett Club's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area With Lisa Flowers, Peggy Shumaker, Angela Swedberg, Michele Usibelli, Pam Voth Writing, art, and ecology. Dunrovin Ranch

Artists Showcase-Spokane Valley Arts Council
CenterPlace at Mirabeau Park
9/17/2011-9/17/2011
Reception: 9/17/2011 (4pm-10pm)

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Workshops:

 

"This Montana Place" Expedition
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch
9/11/2011-9/18/2011

September 11-17, 2011

 

Dunrovin Ranch's This Montana Place Expedition

in cooperation with the Boone & Crockett Club's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area

With Lisa Flowers, Peggy Shumaker, Angela Swedberg, Michele Usibelli, Pam Voth

 

Writing, art, and ecology.

Dunrovin Ranch

 

Suzanne Miller(www.dunrovinranchmontana.com)

 

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Other Web Pages Michele Usibelli Recommends
(These pages are not necessarily about Michele Usibelli)

A: Gallery Representation: ARTIQUE, LTD

A: Gallery Representation: COLE GALLERY

A: Gallery Representation: HARBOR GALLERY

A: Gallery Representation: KIRSTEN GALLERY

A: Gallery Representation: NEW HORIZONS GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: DANA GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: GREENHOUSE GALLERY OF FINE ART

B: Gallery Exhibition: KAEWYN GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: LAWRENCE GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: NICHOLS TAOS FINE ART GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: PARKLANE GALLERY

B: Gallery Exhibition: WATERHOUSE GALLERY

C: Art Association: AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY

C: Art Association: NATIONAL OIL & ACRYLIC PAINTERS' SOCIETY

C: Art Association: OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA

C: Art Association: WOMEN PAINTERS OF WASHINGTON

E: Art Supplies: DANIEL SMITH