An award-winning American Impressionist with French roots, Michele finds her passion in depicting France (Paris, Provence and Toulouse (sunflowers!), Northern California, including the Bay Area and Napa Valley. She also does commissioned portraits of pets, people and homes. Her vibrant colors and lively technique evoke the true beauty and life of her subjects.
As an impressionist, I’m fascinated with the qualities of light and the way it
glorifies objects. Even in pastel landscapes, my work tends to be figurative as
I play with the color in reflections and shadows of architecture, grapevines,
fountains, etc. I prefer a character study to the long view. I search the Bay
Area and France for images that excite me, taking my own reference photos and
sometimes doing location studies. My trip to France in 2001 was especially
inspiring. In my beautiful studio in Berkeley I draw freehand in charcoal on
colored paper and finish in soft pastel. T
The brilliant colors, lively texture and ease of application of this medium allow me to create a surface energy which captures the vibrancy of the City and nature. My goal is simply to express the beauty I see all around me in a direct and truthful manner and to enjoy the process. I do commissioned portraits of adults, children, pets, homes and travels (from photographs - yours or mine, color or B&W). Please check out my web site for examples. And if original work is not in your budget today, please consider the limited-editions I offer. These include my economical signed color copies on acid-free paper and my highest quality Giclée Fine Art Prints on watercolor paper or canvas, and enjoy the fruit of my joyful labor.
Selected Exhibitions:
Louis Aronow Gallery- 522 Sutter Street, SF and 686 Bridgeway, Sausalito (2001 - present)
Jessel Gallery, Napa 1995 - 1998, 2002- present)
Sausalito Art Festival, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Shenson Memorial Gallery, St. Francis Memorial Hospital - ( solo) 2003 (Feb. 7 - Apr. 4)
San Francisco Arts Festival - Oct , 2001
California Pacific Medical Center, (solo) 2001 (Jan. - Mar.)
Cafe Metro, Oakland (solo) 2000 MTC Oakland - 2000
Los Altos Rotary Art Show 2000, 2001
Mill Valley Art Festival, 1999
Art Concepts, Walnut Creek (solo) 1998, 1999
Eric Christiansen Gallery, Yountville 1999
Michael Thompson Gallery, SF 1994
Pastel Society of the West Coast - several awards
Pro Arts Open Studios, & Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios, yearly
Selected Collections:
Hilton- Fisherman's Wharf, SF (originals in lobby, reproductions in rooms)
San Francisco Hilton (original in lobby, reproductions in rooms)
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Pacific Bell,
Marriott, SF
SF Crystal Cruise Line
(Judge Kenneth Burr, Dr. Jerry Bellen, Tom Frankovich and many other private collections)
Education:
BFA in Illustration, Academy of Art College, San Francisco, 1983, with distinction Color workshops with Henry Henche of Provincetown, MA Pastel Society of the West Coast Ð Signature Member, several awards
East Coast (MA) transplant in 1972, lived on Russian Hill , SF for 18 years and now residing in Berkeley, where you can visit my beautiful studio by appointment or during Open Studios in June and Nov/Dec.
| Michele's Berkeley Art Gallery | Michele Manning Web Site |
12/08/2006