Michelle Ernst

Artist's Bio

Michelle Ernst was an artistic child and it was clear from an early age that she was destined for a career in art. Michelle was born in Moscow, Russia in 1990. She spent her first three years of life in a hospital and then an orphanage. She was adopted and came to California. Due to a speech impediment Michelle could not talk understandably for several years. She would draw to communicate her feelings and ideas. Michelle became known for her artistic talent by her school, family and friends. She made many paintings, 3D art and greeting cards as gifts. She started taking art lessons and classes and began oil painting when she was a teenager. She has won many competitions for her art. Michelle is currently studying art at San Jose City College.

Artist's Statement

I love the beauty of the natural world. This in combination with my interest in animal anatomy is what drives my work. I love the details about each animal. I want to share my awe and deep feelings about nature with others through my art. When portraying an animal I first study the detailed anatomy of the animal. I find many books, videos and photographs of the animal. I study its behavior and how it appears in many poses and different perspectives. I then make several sketches to discover how to convey the animal and refine the ideas. I then do experiments to come up with techniques to make the features of the animal. At that point I can see in my mind how to begin the project.

Artist's Resume

Education:

2010 to 2018 San Jose City College
2000 to 2014 Private oil painting lessons Elsa Shaller
2000 Group oil painting lessons Stephan Baumann
1999 Group pastel painting lessons Randal Elementary

Shows and Awards: -

2015 "Art Dogs" Show SJCC San Jose, CA
2014 “Sparks” Volunteer SJCC San Jose, CA
2008 "Shoes" Show SJCC San Jose, CA
2007 California Grange Blue Ribbon Sacramento, CA
2007 Califomia Grange Best in Show Sacramento, CA
2006 Santa Clara County Fair Blue Ribbon San Jose, CA
2004 Santa Clara County Best in Show San Jose, CA
1998 Randal Elementary School Best Painting San Jose, CA

This is most of Michelle's oil paintings and sculptures. She will have more in the near future. Click to enlarge pictures.

A Landscape	Susie Dog	A Horse
Sam - Grandpa's Dog	A Tiger	A Harlequin Duck The duck was the Grand Champion in Michelle's age group at the Santa Clara County Fair (2005) (And, yes, that is a real type of diving duck.)
A Blue Rose	Carol's Sean, an Irish Wolfhound	A Hummingbird
Cindy and Susie	A Dragon (for Julie)	Snowball, the cat (for Alec)
A dragon (for Peggy)	Kaiser, Jacqui's cat	A Peacock
Steve and Geri's farm	Michelle's pet chickens	Running horses
A Hawk (Inspired by the book cover for "The Scream of the Hawk"; winner California State Grange exhibition 2007)	Pounders Beach, Laie, Ohau, Hawaii
Uncle Bob's dogs	Two otters	Japanese cranes
Broom buddy owl (It's not a painting, but it is a masterpiece; winner California State Grange exhibition 2007)	A Kestrel in Yosemite	Running horse
The White Wolf	The rooster	van Gogh meets the old west
A biomorphic sculpture	The Greek bust	Round sculpture
An owl sculpture	An abstract in alabaster	Viking sculpture
A kestrel bas-relief	A vulture bas-relief	An owl bas-relief
Photography class photo	Photography class photo	Photography class photo