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Meet Ellen

Ellen Michel, celebrated Heidelberg Artist, Teacher, Art Therapist, Writer, Mentor, and Shaman, devotes her excellent skills and knowledge to taking students on the artistic discovery of oil painting techniques to build confidence and their style.

 
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Learn from master Artist, Teacher, Art Therapist, Writer, Mentor, and Shaman

Ellen Michel, celebrated Heidelberg Artist, Teacher, Art Therapist, Writer, Mentor, and Shaman, devotes her amazing breadth of skills and knowledge to the quest of promoting the human right to access self-expression. Ellen’s career spans 40 years in the Art Scene in Melbourne, from Community Arts to Private Commissions and Public Lectures. Her practice as an Artist and her study of Anthropology, Psychology, Art Therapy, Shamanism and Practices of Meditative States brings expert knowledge and experience to the Course. 

Completed Artworks
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Years Experience
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Combining Art & Education Since 1979

“My training as a tonal realist painter, specializing in oil for over 40 years, has been a wonderful foundation from which to develop my painting technique and style. With five solo exhibitions and numerous awards for painting, my body of work continues to thrive mainly because I love combining teaching and painting. Combining practice and teaching refreshes my view of myself as a student and teacher. I aim to pass on (passion) something of the pain and the ecstatic joy I experience in an attempt to make a painting. I encourage all who have the desire to paint to give it a go. It is a human right to create, not a ‘gift’ limited to a few.

I am mostly fascinated with the idea of the painter being an instrument whose work reveals something universal, something that touches what it is to be human. My work explores many techniques as I approach the canvas openly, with an automatic response. I imagine when I paint, being in the airless Caves of Lascaux, deep in the earth drawing, painting images for the fecundity of life, paying homage to the human endeavour to find meaning. In a sense, I explore the painter/artist as psycho-pomp, ritual maker/shaman, and conduit to spiritual dimensions.”

Awards & Recognition

Career Highlights and Awards

  • 2022 – Entrant for Montsalvat Portrait Prize.
  • 2019 – Artist Retreat, Morocco; return during the Covid pandemic.
  • 2019 – Grampians Field Trip.
  • 2018 – Travel for painting and writing material to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
  • 2017 – Artmakers Studio Gallery opening and exhibition of new works from Pilbara, Bhutan, and India.
  • 2017 – Green Lake, Wimmera Field Trip.
  • 2017 – Rome, Spain, England, and Sweden Field Trip – “Where I Sit in the Scheme – A Memory”.
  • 2017 – Western Australian round trip, Perth to Kalbarri – “In Search of Wild Wonder Wisdom – Flora”.

Ellen’s Full Bio

Exhibitions, Art Projects, Workshops, Talks, Performances, Field Trips, and Awards

  • 2022 – Entrant for Montsalvat Portrait Prize.
  • 2019 – Artist Retreat Morocco and return during Covid Pandemic.
  • 2019 – Grampians Field Trip.
  • 2018 – Travel for painting and writing material to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
  • 2017 – Artmakers Studio Gallery studio opening and exhibition of new works of Pilbara, Bhutan, and India.
  • 2017 – Green Lake, Wimmera Field Trip.
  • 2017 – Rome, Spain, England, and Sweden Field Trip: “Where I Sit in the Scheme – A Memory”.
  • 2017 – Western Australian round trip Perth to Kalbarri: “In Search of Wild Wonder Wisdom – Flora”.
  • 2017 – Kakadu and Tiwi Islands Field Trip.
  • 2011 – Our Changing State, performance art with Heidelberg Primary School (Artist in Schools Program).
  • 2011 – Mosaic Seat, Alice Downunder in the Land of Wonder, collaboration with students, Doncaster Primary School.
  • 2010 – Pilbara Artist Retreat and exhibition at Yarrie Station.
  • 2010 – Heights Primary School: “Let Medicine Be Your Food and Food Your Medicine”.
  • 2010 – Rosanna Golf Links Primary School: “Healthy Living, Healthy Life”.
  • 2009–2015 – Art Therapist, Able Australia, facilitating yearly exhibitions.
  • 2009 – “Exploring the Farmyard and Vegetable Garden”, 15m painted panel.
  • 2009 – Nine painted panels, Collingwood Justice Centre, Victoria.
  • 2008 – “Hands On for Healing”, community mosaic wall, Austin/Repatriation Hospitals.
  • 2008–2010 – Commission: 44 oil paintings, Austin Repatriation Hospital.
  • 2008 – “One and Many”, collaborative collage.
  • 2008 – “Wild Wonder Wisdom”, panels featuring Australian flora and fauna.
  • 2007 – “In the Flow”, facade mural, North Yarra Community Health Centre.
  • 2006 – “Body, Head, Feet and Hands”, painted tile project.
  • 2006 – Meditation Garden, Rosanna Fire Station Community House.
  • 2004–2005 – “Wall of the Imagination and Sculpture”, Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
  • 2005 – “Serpent’s Head Path”, Mia Mia Gallery.
  • 2004–2005 – Mosaic Panels, Doncaster Primary School.
  • 2004 – Exhibition: “Finding the Heart Beat of Northcote”.
  • 2003 – Painting Workshop for Outback Women, Queensland.
  • 2002 – Art Therapy Workshop, Heritage Australia, Canberra.
  • 2002 – “Weaving the Web”, sculptural performance.
  • 2001 – “Reclaiming the Art of Dying”, Royal Women’s Hospital.
  • 2000 – “Serpent’s Mouth Open”; “Looking at a Coffin. Help!” installation.
  • 1999 – Co-founded Art and Soul Coffins and Ceremonies.
  • 1999 – Australian Film and Television School: Artwork and direction.
  • 1998 – Exhibition “On the Road to Rhodes”, Fitzroy Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 1992 – “Art Adventure” workshop funded by Northcote Council.
  • 1992 – Mornington Rotary Art Show Prize.
  • 1991–1999 – T.P.I. Return Service Art Group.
  • 1991 – Warragul Rotary Art Show Prize.
  • 1990 – Hamilton Art Show First Prize.
  • 1990 – Wimmera Art Show, Best Painting.
  • 1990 – Bright Art Show, Miniature Prize.
  • 1990 – Wangaratta Art Show Grand Prize.
  • 1989 – Artists in Schools Program.
  • 1989 – Wangaratta Art Show Grand Prize.
  • 1988 – Exhibition “Olive Lodge”.
  • 1987 – Wangaratta Art Show Grand Prize – Australian Rural Prize.
  • 1986 – Australian Rural Prize.
  • 1979–1991 – Teaching across multiple community and art centres.
  • 1972 – Private Ellen Michel Art School (ongoing).

Education

  • 1999 – Diploma of Art Therapy, Ikon Institute of Victoria, Melbourne.
  • 1992 – Bachelor of Arts, La Trobe University, Melbourne.
  • 1979–1985 – Studied under Frank Gill (Tonal Realist & Colourist).
  • 1972–1974 – Studied under Alan Martin (Tonal Impressionist; student of Max Meldrum).

See more paintings from Ellen

Recent Artworks