Slidell Art League Gallery and Gift Shop
Artist’s Biography

Art interests:
Pen and Pencil Drawing (self taught, some formal training)
Some Pastels and Charcoal (self taught, some formal training)
Acrylics and some Watercolors painting (self taught)
Calligraphy and Illumination (self taught)
Celtic art and knot work designs (self taught)
3-D design, frames and various projects (self taught)
Architectural Design (Degree in Drafting and Design from JCJC)
Interior Design and Décor. (self taught)
Sewing, quilts and other stuff (Taught basic sewing, expanded by my-
self)
Bead crafts (self taught)
Cross Stitch and Embroidery (Taught basic stitches, expanded by my-
self)
Crochet (self taught)
Gardening Design (Learned all about plants from family members,
Design techniques are my own personal artistic expression)

A brief History:
My Mom paints (acrylics and oils), does green ware pottery, and
various crafts.
My Grandfather(maternal) painted in oils, and built and refinished
furniture.
My Grandmother (maternal) loves to garden and sew.
My Father taught me all about plant names, birds, and planets.
I took Drawing I and Drawing II at Jones County Junior College (JCJC)
in Mississippi in my ’97-’98 season.
I received an Associates degree in Drafting and Design Technology
from East Mississippi Community College in Mississippi in 2002.
I have been exposed to art all of my life.
I would try to do everything my mom did ever since I could walk and get
into it all.
My grandfather would let me do paint by numbers in oils with him.
I have always been most fond of pencils as my medium.
I won 2nd and 3rd place awards for 2 different drawings in the 6th
grade – one of these was an embellished letter.
In the 10th grade I was paid to redo a poster size family tree in
calligraphy.
Around the same time and through my senior year (grad 1997) I did 3
different copies of the same wedding poem in calligraphy and one set
of invitations.
In college I took Drawing I & II under David Sullivan and was a member
of the campus art club.
While involved in the above, I had some drawings featured in 2
different Student Art Exhibits (charcoal and pastels).
I have since displayed some of my drawings and one painting in the
Antique/Fleamarket Store in Collins, Mississippi where my mother
works. I sold one large drawing.
While exhibited there I was featured in the periodical “Mississippi
Woman” 2005, as a local artist known for my pencil and pen
(calligraphy) work.
During this same time frame I did another set of invitations in
calligraphy, and I sold (as a set) a wall hanging quilt, 2 purses and 5
beaded book marks all hand made by me.
In the shop where my mom works, I have sold some of my various
crafts.
Joined SAL in March 2007.
Was involved in the Art and Origins Show. Put in 2 pieces. Sold one.
Have had at least 5 pieces displayed in the SAL Gallery previously.
Have a my space page (
http://www.myspace.com/mshell6979 ).
If interested in any of Michelle's artwork, please call the
Slidell Art League at 985-847-9458