Michelle Carnes

Artist For Michelle Carnes, the creation of art is a transcendental undertaking. Her work is a testament of true dedication to being witness to the world around her. Michelle’s earliest artistic experiences were formed by her life growing up in the Ukrainian Village in Chicago. Her perceptions were rooted in the sights and sounds of her culture, with the vibrance of an inner-city backdrop. She was consumed with drawing and determined to learn. At the age of 11, she attended the Art Institute of Chicago.

Michelle Carnes began her journey in art with her first job, which involved assisting with model preparations and painting commissioned works. She continued her studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was inspired by Renoir’s On The Terrace, realizing that communicating through art was essential to her. Her studies took her westward, where she graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado and discovered the works of Sergei Bongart and Nicolai Fechin. She later studied Russian Impressionism under Don Sahli, a student of Bongart, and refined her skills at The Art Students League of Denver and Watts Atelier, ultimately developing her own unique style.

SOMO ARTWORK

Outdoor abstract face quadriptych

“Lady”

Michelle’s work has been praised for its unique ability to capture the energy of the subject. Inspired by the light and colors of painting from life, she expresses her observations in an immediate and bold voice. She keeps herself open to surprises, not relying solely on the traditional techniques she has worked out over the years. Her constant exploration gives way to new creative processes that carry her forward.

Michelle’s art career has spanned for more than 2 decades. She has been a guest on NBC News, interviewed on KUVO and was awarded the Southwest Art Magazine Evergreen Plein Air Juror’s Pick Award. She was awarded and recognized for her Burning Man art installation, which was featured in the Black Rock City magazine. Her art shows “Heart and Soul of Denver” and “Celebrations” were both sold-out shows. Her original works have been in galleries across the country, as well as in private international collections. She has transformed public spaces including the Sundance Film Festival / ChefDance, South x Southwest, the Intersection Event at Google, SOMO Village – the first One Planet Community in North America and Qdoba Mexican Restaurants, among others. She has permanent corporate installations both nationally and internationally and is currently living in beautiful west Sonoma County, California.