ELLEN MICHEL Heidelberg  (03) 9457-7027 web site  E M A I L 

ARTIST STATEMENT 
“Painting keeps me vital. Painting is a poetic experience, a love affair with life, so tantalizing, provocative and compelling, preoccupying me in a life long search for knowledge and understanding.  I paint to honour life in all its’ forms, in the landscape, in the studio, exploring the seasons, the crevices on the face, the rocky outcrops each with its  unique essence bathed in its own light, colour, time and space. 

Continuing to explore techniques of oil paint, washes, textile bleeding, chiaroscuro glazes and impasto sculptural form, all interest me.  When I paint, I, surrender to a spontaneous interaction with the canvas and style is not a conscious decision. 

In more recent years I have become fascinated with more abstracted painting, exploring the painter/artist as psycho-pomp, ritual maker/shaman and conduit to spiritual dimensions”.    Ellen Michel

EDUCATION
2003 Mosaic and Ferro Cement Workshops – Ceres Environmental Park.
1992  Bachelor of Art, Sociology, Anthropology and Art History Majors, Cinema Studies, Contemporary Feminist Thought, Minors. La Trobe University, Bundoora.
2000 -2005 Ceremonial Training with Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society
1999 Diploma of Art Therapy, Ikon Institute of Victoria, Melbourne.
2000 Train the Trainer, Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE.
1979 -1985 Studied under Frank Gill, Mitcham, Melbourne. (tonal realist & colourist).
1972 – 1974 Studied under Alan Martin, Eltham, Melbourne. ( A tonal impressionist student of the  celebrated Max Meldrum).

EXHIBITIONS, art projects, workshops, talks and art performances 
 2004- 2005  Wall of the Imagination and Sculpture,  mosaic and ferro   cement render Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
2005  Serpents Head path Mia Mia Gallery, Westerfolds Park,         Templestowe.  Greencore project.
2004-2005 Mosaic panels, Doncaster Primary School.
2004  Exhibition Doctors of Northcote, 'Finding the Heart Beat of Northcote' 
2003  Painting Workshop for Outback Women, Dirranbandi, Queensland.
2002  Doncaster Primary School Arts after school program.
2002  Art Therapy workshop for Heritage Australia, Canberra.
2002 Watsonia Neighbourhood House, Art Therapy workshop.
City of Banyule Childrens Art Holiday Program 'Weaving the Web', a sculptural performance.
2002  Painting demonstrations at Brighton, Mitcham, Heidelberg Doncaster Ringwood, Art Societies
2001Royal Women’s Hospital ‘Reclaiming the art of Dying’ 
2000  ‘Women’s Day 2000’, Dianella Community Health, Broadmeadows. 
2000  Exhibition, Doing Art Studio,'Serpent's Mouth Open', giant   serpent canvas and paint.   'Looking at  a coffin. Help! ' installation   Open Studio Banyule City Council.
1999   Established  with Rosemary Mangiamele  Art and Soul .Coffins and Ceremonies to offer a creative/healing   approach to death and dying.
1999   Australian Film and Television School Art work and direction.
 1998  Exhibition of painting, 'On the road to Rhodes', Fitzroy Gallery, Fitzroy.
1997 – 1998  Rosanna Fire Station Community House Puppet performance 'Donald's Dream',  Art and Craft for intellectually disabled adults. 
1997 – 1998   Rosanna Fire Station Community House Mask  performance    'Alice and the Tea Party',  Art and Craft for intellectually disabled adults
1992  ‘Art Adventure’ workshop funded by Northcote Council.
1991 – 1999 T.P.I. Return Service   Art Group.
1990   Hamilton Art Show First Prize. 
1990   Wimmera Art Show, Best Painting.
1990   Bright Art Show  'Miniature Prize.
1991   Warragul Rotary Art Show  Prize.
1992   Mornington Rotary Art Show Prize
1989   Artists in Schools Program. Grades 4,5 & 6 Four remote Primary 
 schools in North Eastern Victoria.
1989   Wangaratta Art Show,Grand Prize, Art Gallery Council Collection
1990   Wangaratta Art Show Grand Prize, Art Gallery Council Collection 1989   Exhibition of Painting, ‘Veritas Galleria’ Eldorado , Victoria,
1988   Exhibition of painting ‘Olive Lodge’, Oxley, Victoria
1988   Exhibition, 'Flinders Ranges and back', Benalla
1987   Australian Rural Prize, Wangaratta Collection
1986   Australian Rural  Prize,  Wangaratta Collection
1985–1991Teaching The Centre for Continuing Education, Wangaratta. The Pathway, Adult Education Yarrawonga. Bright Community Centre, Benalla Artist Guild, Wangaratta Art Society
1979–1980 Teaching.  North Ringwood and Park Orchards Community centres.