Michelle Courier
Michelle Courier Bio
A second generation artist, Michelle grew up inspired by her father who always reminded her, “Make your own mark”. Eventually receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she embarked on her artistic career straight out of college, focusing on portrait pieces and a series showcasing Miami. Eventually transitioning to landscapes, Michelle became recognized as “the Lake Tahoe Painter”, influenced by the majestic scenery she visited with her family every year as an impressionable young girl, a place she has continued to visit every year since.
Born and raised in Michigan, Michelle always felt a calling out West, and in 2016, she took a leap of faith and followed her heart out to Denver, Colorado, taking on the next major chapter of her “art life”, opening Westward Gallery. Feeling a new found creativity, now free to explore new concepts with her brush, Michelle gained immediate notoriety for her playful candy- colored aspens and gummy bears, which continue to be her most sought after creations. Not only showcasing her own work in the charming three thousand square foot corner gallery in the historic Tennyson Art District, Michelle represented over thirty local artists during the gallery’s successful seven year tenure.
Her acrylic creations has described as both impressionism and realism. Viewed up close, there is clearly a feel of impressionism, famous by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh, and Cézanne. But take several steps back, and you are whisked into a photographic realism. With a continued calling to explore different areas of the country, as well as a desire to get back to simply being an artist, Michelle made the decision to close Westward in the Fall of 2023 after an amazing seven year run, with not a moment of regret. Already adding a commission project of twenty eight original pieces of work for an upcoming new hospital in Golden, Colorado, Michelle is back full time in her studio... her happy place! Her work has been on display in galleries nationwide since 1989, and can be found on the walls of art connoisseurs and collectors in homes and corporations across North America, Europe and Asia.
Twins Lakes Mammoth, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 72, $14,000
Yosemite, Acrylic on Canvas, 64 x 48, $8,700
Tahoe Blues #5, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48, $6,500
Eagle Lake, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 72, $12,500
Tahoe Blues #1, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48, $6,900
Blissful Blues, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 60, $9,500
September Aspens, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 60, $8,200
Gold Tones, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 60, $8,200
Sunset Lovers #15, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 36, $3,500
Forest Light #53, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 40, $1,100
I Wish Your World Was Mine, Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 48, $7,200
Forest Light Winter, Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 48, $4,800
Forest Light #60, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 40, $1,100
Forest Light #53, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 40, $1,100
Rainbow River, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 48, $6,500
Free Falling, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 36, $3,500
Gummy Bears #16, Acrylic on Canvas, 20 x 20, $950
Collectors
Courier’s works are in public and private collections around the world including:
Bank of China Tower - Shanghai, China
Chevron Corporation Headquarters - Houston, TX
Dow Chemical Corporation - Midland, MI
Aden B. Dow Center for the Arts - Midland, MI
Upjohn Pharmaceuticals - Kalamazoo, MI
Delta College - Saginaw, MI
Dominos Farms Headquarters - Ann Arbor, MI
Wells Fargo Headquarters - San Francisco, CA Hemlock Semi Conductor Headquarters - Hemlock, MI Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Midland, MI
Bay Medical Foundation - Bay City, MI
The New Lutheran Hospital - Golden, CO
Snowmass Conference Center - Snowmass Village, CO