Hunkered Down

Michelle Held is an internationally-recognized fine artist. Much like a pink spoonbill soaring through the dusky evening twilight, Michelle brings a splash of vibrancy, a flutter of unique perspective, and the beautiful song of nature in its truest form.

She’s been passionately working as an artist and business owner for the past 30 years in Sarasota, Florida. Michelle participates in invitational paint outs and is widely collected throughout the United States. Her work is represented in thriving galleries in the U.S. and Ireland.

Her success in the art world has come from her winning combination of creative spark and imaginative nature along with her strong desire to evoke feeling in her paintings. Often commissioned for custom paintings, Michelle’s passion for wildlife and its ecosystems brought her to embrace the natural world through painting from life.

Michelle loves the morning glow of a waking sun. From serene, swampy marshes draped in ancient Spanish moss to tiny, rickety oyster towns bursting with rainbow buoys and boats, there is always a sight to behold.

Michelle believes evoking a feeling of light, space, and passion is the key to any successful contemporary painting. She gives attention to composition, design and value and credence to a “go with the flow” attitude, letting the painting direct her.

Her real victory, however, has come with her love of teaching. There were so many who encouraged her, Michelle finds that paying it forward is the best way to fulfill the soul.