By /

Michelle Mitchell

Born in 1972, Michelle Mitchell has lived most of her life in her home state of Colorado. Her love of animals and art began at an early age.
She has worked with other art mediums, though her favorite is pastels. Through her self-taught techniques, her paintings bring to life the intricate textures and vibrant colors found in the natural world. Her works exude a level of detail that invites the viewer into a world of untamed wonder where foxes bath in the sun, wind whispers through hawk feathers, and mustangs roam the wide-open ranges.
Michelle is a full-time artist living in Buena Vista, Colorado with her husband and two daughters. Her work can be found in private collections across the country and is currently on display at the Arts Collective Gallery in Salida, Colorado.

michellemitchellart@gmail.com
http://mitchellpastelart.com
Coat Check
Coat Check

Spring brings many things: warmer weather, green grass, flowers, and summer coats for the animals. This fox is enjoying the sun and is in the midst of shedding his thick winter coat.

12 x 16
Breezy
Breezy

I would see this Red Tailed Hawk nearly every time I was West of Buena Vista, Colorado. She would fly as soon as I stopped the car to get a picture. One very windy day I happened to have my camera and the hawk cooperated by sitting still for several pictures. This was a challenging piece to paint but very rewarding.

18 x 24
Early Riser
Early Riser

Every spring the Greater Sandhill Cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado. They stay for a few weeks to eat and socialize which includes dancing.

18 x 24
Shade
Shade

I usually can find wild horses when I'm in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and was lucky enough to find over fifty on this day. This beautiful mare and her newborn foal were staying away from the others. The foal was playing and when he'd get tired he'd go walk in the shade by his mother. I imagined the background since where these horses live there isn't much other than sagebrush.

16 x 20