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The Artist Behind the Canvas: Michele Usibelli

Vibrant-Passionate-Captivating

Michele Usibelli,

OPA, AIS, AWA, CAC, LPAPA

Granddaughter of both Italian and French immigrants, I feel I was born to create. 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.

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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.

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My work is created primarily in oils, but I also enjoy working in acrylics, gouache and watercolor 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. 

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Proud Affiliations & Artistic Community

  • Oil Painters of America/Signature Member

  • American Impressionist Society/Signature Member

  • California Art Club/Artist Member

  • American Women Artists/Signature Member

  • Laguna Plein Air Painters Association/Signature Member.

Michele is a proud member of several prestigious organizations, including:

Honors & Acclaimed Collections

Michele’s award-winning artwork has shown in both group and solo gallery exhibitions as well as regional, national and international juried exhibitions and Museum Auctions. Usibelli has won numerous awards, including the Silver Medal Award at the prestigious Salmagundi Club, NYC and the UCI Institute and Museum of California Art Award. She is honored to have her work in the permanent collection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks/Museum of the North and most recently, her painting "First Light, Pioneer Mill Smokestack", was acquired by the State of Hawaii for their permanent collection. Michele has followed her passion to teach, conducting ongoing workshops and art demonstrations throughout the US and internationally. She has proven to be a popular juror. Her artwork can be found in public and private collections throughout the world.

My Creative Philosophy:
The Poetry of Light & Color

"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." 

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Featured In:
Celebrating Artistic Recognition

  • Southwest Art 2019 Editor's Choice, "Resplendent"

  • SW Art Cover 2016

  • Plein Air Magazine 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

  • Fine Art Connoisseur 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

  • Southwest Art 2018 Editor's Choice, "Beach Cottages"

  • International Artist 2018

  • SW Art, "Women in Art", August 2013

  • American Art Collector,  "Artist Focus", August 2013, page 126

  • SW Art "Artists to Watch", June 2012, page 20

  • American Art Collector, May 2012, page 136-137

  • SW Art's "21 Over 31 Emerging Artists Competition"-Finalist, November 2010

  • Best of America Oil Artists, Kennedy Publishing, Spring 2010. Pages 133-134

  • Southwest Art "Art Values", September, 2009

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions:
A Legacy of Art

  • 2023
    The Russell Museum Auction and Art & Action/Great Falls, MT The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Buffalo Bill Center of the West/Cody, Wyoming The Brinton Museum Artist in Residence Exhibition/Big Horn, WY American Women Artists National Exhibition/Brookgreen Gardens/Murrells Inlet, SC Bighorn Rendezvous/The Brinton Museum/Big Horn, WY Oil Painters of America National Exhibition/Reinert Fine Art Gallery/Charleston, SC Phippen Museum, Small Works Exhibition/Prescott, AZ Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Miniatures by the Lake/CDA. ID
  • 2022
    The Russell Museum Auction and Art & Action/Great Falls, MT The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Buffalo Bill Center of the West/Cody, Wyoming The Brinton Museum Small Works Show/Big Horn, WY The Brinton Museum Artist in Residence/Big Horn, WY-Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Miniatures by the Lake/CDA. ID American Women Artists National Exhibition/Customs House Museum & Cultural Center/Clarksville, TN Bighorn Rendezvous/The Brinton Museum/Big Horn, WY Plein Air Purists: Field to Studio/The Booth Museum/Cartersville, Georgia California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition/Bowers Museum/Santa Ana, CA Oil Painters of America National Exhibition/Steamboat Art Museum/Steamboat Springs, CO
  • 2021
    January Plein Air Salon-2nd Place Overall February Plein Air Salon-BEST Floral & BEST Western November Plein Air Salon-BEST Watercolor & Gouache March Plein Air Salon-BEST Outdoor Stilllife Plein Air Salon top 25 "Annual Finalist" The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming California Art Club's 110th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition/Hilbert Museum of California Art The Russell Museum Auction and Art & Action/Great Falls, MT American Impressionist Society Small Works Exhibition/Charleston, SC Sedona Plein Air, Keynote Speaker & Awards Juror
  • 2020
    April Plein Air Salon-Best Acrylic March Plein Air Salon-Best Outdoor Still Life Laguna Plein Air Painters Plein Air Invitational Salmagundi Club Various Exhibitions and Fall/Spring Member Auctions Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition Oil Painters of America National Exhibition The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming Where in the World Is Plein Air Event/Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St George, UT The Russell Museum Auction/Great Falls, MT American Impressionist Society National Exhibition Settlers West Annual Miniature Show/Tucson, AZ Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational/State of Hawaii Purchase Award, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts The Brinton Museum Gallery Show/Big Horn, WY Miniatures by the Lake/Coeur d' Alene Galleries Oil Painters of America Salon Show Making Their Mark, AWA at the Booth Museum/Cartersville, Georgia Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show/Tucson, AZ
  • 2019
    Laguna Plein Air Painters Plein Air Invitational/UCI Institute and Museum of California Art Award, Revelite Award of Excellence Salmagundi Club Various Exhibitions and Fall/Spring Member Auctions Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition Oil Painters of America National Exhibition The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming Where in the World Is Plein Air Event/Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St George, UT The Russell Museum Auction/Great Falls, MT American Impressionist Society National Exhibition Settlers West Annual Miniature Show/Tucson, AZ Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational The Brinton Museum Gallery Show/Big Horn, WY Miniatures by the Lake/Coeur d' Alene Galleries Oil Painters of America Salon Show Fall 2019-Honorable Mention Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show/Tucson, AZ California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition
  • 2018
    Laguna Plein Air Painters Plein Air Invitational/Spirit of Laguna Award, Kinsman Best Body of Work Award, Outdoor Painter Award; PleinAir Magazine Salmagundi Club Various Exhibitions and Fall/Spring Member Auctions Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition Oil Painters of America National Exhibition The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming, PleinAir Magazine Best Quick Draw Award Where in the World Is Plein Air Event/Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St George, UT The Russell Museum Auction/Great Falls, MT American Impressionist Society National Exhibition Settlers West Annual Miniature Show/Tucson, AZ Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational/Ka'anapali Land Management Award, Best Quick Draw Award The Brinton Museum Gallery Show/Big Horn, WY Miniatures by the Lake/Coeur d' Alene Galleries California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show/Tucson, AZ American Impressionist Society National Exhibition/Dickinson Signature Member Award of Excellence
  • 2017
    Laguna Plein Air Painters Plein Air Invitational Salmagundi Club Various Exhibitions and Fall/Spring Member Auctions Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition Oil Painters of America National Exhibition The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming Where in the World Is Plein Air Event/Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St George, UT The Russell Museum Auction/Great Falls, MT American Impressionist Society National Exhibition Settlers West Annual Miniature Show Miniatures by the Lake/Coeur d' Alene Galleries Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show/Tucson, AZ California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition
  • 2016
    Laguna Plein Air Painters; Urban & Abstract Landscapes/Forest & Ocean Gallery California Art Club/Plein Air Perspective @ Millard Sheets Art Center Salmagundi Club Various Exhibitions and Fall/Spring Member Auctions American Impressionist Society National Exhibition/Best of Show- Member Paint Out Zion Plein Air Invitational/Awarded Best of Show Small Works Invitational Show/Howard Mandville, Kirkland, WA Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition Oil Painters of America National Exhibition The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale/Cody, Wyoming Women Artists of the West 46th National Exhibition/RS Hanna Gallery/People's Choice Award Where in the World Is Plein Air Event/Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St George, UT
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