Best known for her large, abstract landscapes, artist and naturalist Michelle Louis has exhibited in group and solo shows in the U.S., Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. Driven by scientific curiosity, she documents her experience in nature via non-objective painting on canvas. Her work is held in private and public collections in the U.S. and abroad.
"My work describes environment through conceptualized visual experiences of sensation and response. Non-representational painting as documentary to the algorithms of nature is valid as a kind of scientific data. It chronicles intuitive experience. Work emerges in the moment, not to recreate landscape or thoughts, but as synergetic, non-objective marks that become a record. Each action nudges the next to capture energetic and emotional qualities while stimulating a sense of awareness and connectedness. Uncovering and honoring vestigial connections with all life acknowledges our kinship to the natural world and begins to reconcile the ecology we have altered.
The opportunity to live, work, and study in the tropics, from Mexico to the Bolivian Amazon, profoundly influences my perspective of life and abundance on Earth. At home in Wisconsin, I walk with intention in nature at least 1,200 miles yearly. "Intentional walking" means being fully present in the moment. When my mind starts to wander, as it often does, I bring it back with breath. In this way, I experience things I wouldn't normally notice. Animal interactions are common and I observe plants, colors, and day-to-day changes I mightn't otherwise. This practice cultivates a living palette ready for my brush."
"My work describes environment through conceptualized visual experiences of sensation and response. Non-representational painting as documentary to the algorithms of nature is valid as a kind of scientific data. It chronicles intuitive experience. Work emerges in the moment, not to recreate landscape or thoughts, but as synergetic, non-objective marks that become a record. Each action nudges the next to capture energetic and emotional qualities while stimulating a sense of awareness and connectedness. Uncovering and honoring vestigial connections with all life acknowledges our kinship to the natural world and begins to reconcile the ecology we have altered.
The opportunity to live, work, and study in the tropics, from Mexico to the Bolivian Amazon, profoundly influences my perspective of life and abundance on Earth. At home in Wisconsin, I walk with intention in nature at least 1,200 miles yearly. "Intentional walking" means being fully present in the moment. When my mind starts to wander, as it often does, I bring it back with breath. In this way, I experience things I wouldn't normally notice. Animal interactions are common and I observe plants, colors, and day-to-day changes I mightn't otherwise. This practice cultivates a living palette ready for my brush."
Trained in fine art, landscape architecture, and graphic design, Michelle Louis previously worked as a graphic designer and teacher. She's now a full-time as a painter. Her studio extends to her gardens, where she is composing a permaculture landscape. Michelle has taught art in the US and Europe, and has attended several artist residencies in Latin America and Europe.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
In the News-
Read an interview with artist Michelle Louis at Arts Business Institute.
"Finding Inspiration from the Female Creative Eye," by Maile Hulihan.
"Finding Inspiration from the Female Creative Eye," by Maile Hulihan.
Artist and naturalist Michelle Louis leaves the trail to observe a colony of leaf cutter ants. Amazon Basin, Bolivia. Photo by Alex Bauch.
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Using profits from the sale of her art, Michelle Louis purchases and coordinates donations of science and nature books in Spanish and assures their delivery to schools and community libraries in Latin America. Photo by Patricia Luchsinger.
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© 2018 by Michelle Louis. All rights reserved.