Michelle Carnes is a Northern Californian artist who is inspired by the light, energy and colors of painting from life. Michelle draws inspiration from the colorful people and vistas around her with sweeping brush strokes, vibrant colors and rough on smooth textures in an immediate and bold voice.

Growing up in an eclectic Ukrainian neighborhood in Chicago, Michelle’s earliest artistic influences were rooted in her distinct culture. Michelle took this influence with her to the Art Institute of Chicago, where at the age of 11 she began studies in figure drawing and anatomy. It was there that she saw the original work of Pierre Auguste Renoir, “On The Terrace,” and had a clear revelation that expressing herself through art was essential. Painting became her artistic voice. Amusing classmates and family with her drawings, she soon became known as the neighborhood aritst. At age 12, her english teacher commissioned her to create a 30x40 oil on canvas. It was her first job, and she was hooked.

She continued her studies in fine art and graphic design, graduating from the Art Institute of Colorado, refining her design, color and composition skills as a graphic artist — work that served to reinforce her passion for fine art. Michelle discovered the works of Sergei Bongart and Nicolai Fechin - masters of Russian Impressionism. She studied under colorist Don Sahli, Bongart’s last apprentice and Mark Daily.

“A fellow artist introduced me to the work of Sergei Bongart, and I knew it immediately. It was the way my grandmother used to arrange her flowers in a vase and her style of dressing. The Russian master’s work was more than a calling to me; it was a looking glass reflecting my life back at me. It created a desire in me to communicate that feeling of connection to your roots, to life.”

Michelle Carnes enjoys a successful career recognized with awards, media coverage and sold out shows. She is an artist whose work ethic and culture are a forceful influence. Her art is distinguished as Russian Impressionism meets Expressionism fused with painting en plein air. Her award-winning work has been praised for its unique ability to capture the pivotal emotion and energy of the moment. She is currently showing her work around the Bay Area, and throughout the U.S.