Where Michelle's life of Art was born

I was born in July, 1960. Fifteen years later I saw an etching by Goya in a book. The subject matter was otherworldly, the nude witches riding a broomstick fascinated me. I copied it and took the first conscious step towards the realization that I was an artist.

Now, many years later, I am still fascinated by the occult, the hidden forces that motivate humanity. I believe humankind is driven by one overriding motivation. To regain Unity - a sense of oneness and connectedness with the creative essence of the Universe - that which people call God. Everything we do is driven by the need to regain that sense of wholeness, that divine state from which we have fallen and, to which, we will all inevitably return. All Evil, all Good is motivated by that search.

Most people, most of the time don't consider or even know what drives their lives. Most people don't even want to think about it. But I think about it all the time. And I try to paint it. When I look at something I don't see the surface. I see what lies beneath. I see the forces that shape human thought and action - Love, Sex, Fear, Death - God - Truth. I paint the recognizable world of people and landscape because that is a familiar language. But these things are only ever symbolic. I am not being humble when I say I TRY to paint it. To really express what I feel and see is to rival God. I have my human limitations and painting is a pathetic attempt to speak without adequate words. But it may be that it reminds myself and others of something that we all share.

I paint because I am an artist and I am driven to do so. I paint the things I see inside my head and in my dreams. Creation and Destruction shape the recognizable world in which we live. Truth prevails over and above all of this. But while I am here and I am human, I will do as humans do.

Y Gwir Yn Erbyn Y Byd