About the Artist – Michelle Honles

Michelle Denise Honles' work is influenced by her travels abroad to Italy, Greece, France, The Caribbean, Israel, and Spain. A graduate of California Polythechnic University at San Luis Obispo, she completed her BA in architecture through an international study program in Florence, Italy with an emphasis on art and art history. Studying abroad and having been brought up in the Los Angeles area has increased her appreciation of the cultural tapestry that makes up our radient world.

Michelle has been an art teacher for 15 years working with artists of various ages and abilities at Private and Public Schools. Art 'N You was formed in 2004 to meet the expanding desire to teach fine arts to students of all ages in the Ventura Area. Having lived and taught in the Pasadena area for several years, and having seen the rich art programs offered at some of the schools there, she wants to see the arts flourish in a greater degree in Ventura County as well. Applying her fundamental beliefs, Michelle seeks to release the creativity in all students through her own developed materials and methods.

One of Michelle's favorite activities is to SCUBA dive, and it has provided a rich souce of inspiration for her art and her curriculum development. Combined with her love of painting the ocean, she is able to create dazzling pieces of art that depict the ocean from either the bottom or from the surface. Her artwork is now branching out into composing murals as well as teaching. Michelle is married to a musically talented husband, Thomas, and together they have four creative young adults. Thomas is a civil and structural engineer and works in the renewable energy field and is currently developing large scale solar power projects in California.

Michelle is inspired by the dramatic artwork of Akiane Kramarik and Ron Dicianni, two present day Christian artists. She also likes to hide spiritual elements in her art just as a child enjoys discovering the hidden objects in a "Highlights" magazine.

"We Live in the tension of a spiritual as well as a physical world – and I want to help people see more than what they can see with their natural eyes. I hope my artwork lifts you up and inspires you to enjoy life to its fullest!"

Michelle Denise Honles