Artist Bio & CV

Art Statement
“Rock is my medium of choice because you have one chance to get it right, just like you have one life to live.” Bringing rock to life is what gets Michelle’s pulse going. To feel an emotion from observing the carved rock is the intention.
“While carving, Mother Nature’s beauty of the rock comes alive from within.” “Every time I am surprised at what transpires. The colors and cracks are not always predictable so I need to work with how the rock was formed millions of years ago. Sometimes it means making changes to plans well into the project.” “The more challenging a piece is, the more satisfying it is to complete.” Admitting it is physically demanding, she finds it quite therapeutic spiritually.

Biography Born in Canada with Dutch parents, Michelle travelled to Europe frequently as a child. There she was inspired by Baroque architecture in the ornate cathedrals, and influenced by the Renaissance era and Gothic art. Michelle’s combination of tool experience as a licensed auto mechanic, and knowledge of the anatomy from studying nursing geared her for sculpting torsos. She mostly carves human figures with minimal detail and a touch of similar abstract you can recognize from piece to piece. Various rocks are used such a soapstone, alabaster, chlorite, marble, jade, etc.
The rock is carved using pneumatic powered chisels, rotary dremels, and grinders. Most work is done in her soundproof home studio.

Besides sculpting, she also teaches rock sculpting classes. In 2006 she completed her Instructor Diploma.

Michelle has participated in over sixty exhibitions, juried events and received recognized awards. She’s also a member of the professional organization of Sculptor’s Society of BC.

Exhibitions, Shows and Galleries

2016- Current

Vancouver Art Gallery, Sculptor’s Society of BC group show, Vancouver, BC

Granville Island, Sculptor’s Society of BC Pop Up Show 2019, Vancouver, BC

Federation of Canadian Artists, Shape and Form Juried Show, Vancouver, BC

BCIT “Hidden Passions” Art Show, Burnaby Campus

Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver 2018

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver Play House lobby, Exhibit, June-Aug 2018

North Vancouver Community Art Council, Art in the Garden 2018

White Rock Community Ctr, Int’l Women’s Day, ‘Her Story’, Juried Exhibit

Student and Alumni Art Gala, Architectural Connections, BCIT Burnaby Campus

Pop-Up Exhibit, Creative People Showing, Port Moody 2017

Surrey Arts 2016, Juried Art Show, Surrey Art Gallery

Gallery Bistro, Group Show, Port Moody

Commissioned ‘Octopus’, 2000 lbs Granite, Parksville, BC

Heritage Hills Winery, Show Case, Mission 2016

Port Moody City Hall, Solo Show, ‘Soul Series’

Minnikadda Art Show, Group Show, PoCo 2016

Boathouse, Art Walk, Port Moody 2016

2011-2015

North West Sculpture Competition, Int’l juried contest & show 2015

Outdoor Garden Show, Solo Show, North Vancouver

Surrey Arts 2015, Juried Group Art Show

Sensations Art Show, Elbert’s Art Gallery, Ladner

Red Barn Winery, Show Case, Mission

KaBoom Art Show & Even, Port Moody City Hall 2014

Fraser River Art walk, ‘Sea Life”, Group Show, Richmond 2014

Juried Art Show, ‘Spirits’, N Vancouver

Celtic Festival, Show Case, Port Coquitlam

White Rock Arts Festival, Group Show

Surrey Arts 2014, Juried Group Art Show

New Port Village Art Show, Port Moody 2013

Kitsilano Beach Group Project, Contemporary Artist of Vancouver

‘Starving to Successful’, Workshop, Xanadu Gallery

Boat House Opening Reception 2012, Arts Connect

Xiang Gallery, ‘Ying Yang’ Show, Vancouver

ArtSpacific Show, Delta Arts council, Delta 2012

Finnie’s Garden Show, Riverview, Coquitlam

BoatHouse Opening Reception, Arts Connect, Port Moody

North Vancouver Sea Side Art Festival, North Vancouver 2011

Art Walk, Arts Connect, Port Moody City Hall

Renaissance Academy in Fine Arts, Art Teacher Job, Richmond

Stone Art Gallery, Joye Designs, Port Moody

Minnikadda Art Show, Group Show, PoCo 2011

1993-2010

Place des Arts, Small Exhibits Christmas Show 2010

ArtSpacific Show, Delta Arts Council, Delta, Old Fire Hall

Britannia Art Show, Solo Show, Fundraiser, Vancouver

Old Mill Boathouse, Art Walk, Port Moody 2010

Art Walk, Arts Connect, Sutherbrook Place, Port Moody

West Coast Sculpture Association, Symposium Lake Cowichan, BC

Stone Art Gallery, Respresenting Gallery, Joyed Designs, Port Moody

Minnikadda Art Show, Group Show, PoCo 2009

Festival of the Arts, Studio Tour, Port Moody

Red Barn Winery, Show Case, Mission2009

Place des Arts, Small Exhibits Christmas Show 2009

ArtSpacific Show, Delta Arts Council, Award of Merit for ‘Motherhood’

Old Mill Boathouse, Open Studio Tour, Port Moody 2009

Art Walk, Arts Connect, Inlet Wellness Gallery, Port Moody

Missed Opportunities, Art Show, White Rock, 2009

MP’s office, Dawn Black of Coquitlam, Office Opening, Coquitlam

Inlet Wellness Gallery, ‘Artful Indulgence”, Solo Show, Port Moody

Port Moody Art Centre, ‘A Rock In A Good Place’, Solo Show

West Coast Sculpture Symposium, Mission, BC

Place des Arts, Small Exhibits Christmas Show 2008

Porier Library, Art in the Atrium, Solo Show

Art at Heart, Arts Connect Group Show, Port Moody Art Centre

Acorn Art Show, Group Show, Langley

Gallery in the Garden Show 2008, Delta Arts Council, Wellbrook Winery

Surrey Arts 2008, Juried Show, Award of Merit for ‘Rise of Dawn’

Family Art Day, Place des Arts, Clay Sculpture Workshop

Canada Day, Art Exhibit, La Farge Lake Festival

Place des Arts, Solo Exhibit ‘Soul Series’ 2008

Arnold Mikelson Mind & Matter Art Festival, White Rock

West Coast Sculpture Association, Thetis Island

Robert Max Salon, Show Case, Vancouver 1993