2021 Plein Air Festival Keynote Workshop

Like all artists, I feel I was born to create, and was drawn to art from as early as I can remember. After earning my degree in architecture from the University of Washington, I combined my professional life with my love of travel.  My extensive travels and life experiences provide the solid platform from which my artwork is created.

My early training established a strong foundation in the Russian Impressionist tradition of seeing and painting shapes of light and color using relatively loose brushstrokes. I have studied extensively and have been influenced by numerous historic artists, most notably Nicholai Fechin, John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase. All of these influences have allowed me to establish my own unique artistic style and define me as a truly versatile artist.

While I am drawn to many painting genres; still life, landscape, cityscapes and figurative-its my individual style and paint application, that creates and maintains a constant theme throughout my body of work. My work is created primarily in oils, but I also enjoy working in acrylics, gouache and pastels in my representational style. I strive for consistency of style that is uniquely my own.  Collectors continuously say they “can spot my work from across the room”. Establishing my own, unique, artistic voice is my primary goal. I will never paint the same image twice, Every piece that I create is truly an original, completed to my highest standards. I am thankful to have the opportunity to pursue this passion I call art! Through my art I have had the opportunity to establish many long term friendships with collectors, galleries and other artists. When a collector purchases a piece I do not view it as a one time event, I view it as a new friend for life. I am extremely grateful for those who have supported me and hope you will continue to appreciate and support all artists who are making the world a more beautiful place.

Michele’s award-winning artwork has shown in both group and solo gallery exhibitions as well as regional, national and international juried exhibitions. Usibelli has won numerous awards, most recently the Silver Medal Award at the prestigious Salmagundi Club, NYC/2015. She is honored to have her work in the permanent collection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks/Museum of the North, along with long admired historic and contemporary Alaskan artists.  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 is a member of, and has exhibited with, the following organizations; Oil Painters of America/Signature Member, American Impressionist Society/Signature Member, Women Artists of the West/Signature Member, California Art Club/Artist Member, Salmagundi Club/NYC, American Women Artists and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association/Signature Member. Her work has received numerous awards. 

“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.”