PRESS
'When artist Sam Michelle left her career in finance to pursue realist painting six years ago, it had been twenty years since she’d first picked up a paintbrush, and only one since she exhibited publicly for the first time. But artistic passion was in her blood, and it fuelled her determination'...................
CLICK HERE TO READ FEATURE AUGUST 2020
Sam left her career in banking to become a full-time artist just five years ago, and spends her days painting stunning still life, seasonal florals, and landscapes from her spacious home studio that’s dedicated to creativity. In fact, the whole house is. Much of the decor is centered around their growing collection of art, ceramics, and plants, and the result is a soothing home full of inspiration.....
CLICK TO SEE TOUR APRIL 2020
'Each week on the Thursday Daily at 11:45am we profile an Australian artist – be they a sculptor, painter, writer – someone working in the creative sphere.
Sam Michelle spent 13 years in banking and finance before she picked up the paintbrush full time. It wasn’t a huge surprise though. The Melbourne based, Kiwi born, painter comes from pretty arty stock. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents are creatives in their own rights as painters, sketchers, jewelry designers and china doll makers.
With a favouring for flora and a love of landscapes, Sam captures the light and textures of mother nature brilliantly. Sam joined us from her home studio for this week’s Interview With An Artist'.
CLICK TO LISTEN ONLINE MARCH 2020
'No flower is safe from the watchful eye of Melbourne-dwelling kiwi Sam Michelle, and lately the same can be said for landscapes'.
CLICK FOR FULL INTERVIEW JULY 2019
YOUR HOME & GARDEN - Mention
THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP - Interview
'Today we showcase the wonderfully talented Sam Michelle who specialises in painting still-life flowers in her signature style. I started by asking Sam about where her journey began'.
CLICK FOR FULL INTERVIEW APRIL 2019
YOUR HOME & GARDEN - Magazine Feature
'WOMEN WE LOVE' Feature. 'Kiwi Artist Sam Michelle paints vivid still lifes from her home studio south of Melbourne......
THE RED MAGAZINE - Interview
Hocking Stuart Red Magazine Issue #25. Interview.
JULY 2018
As seen in Country Style, 'All I Want For Christmas'. Stylist, Jessica Hanson.
"In three years, Sam Michelle has gone from being a salaried employee in banking to a professional artist on the cusp of achieving her ‘forever goal.’
For Sam, following her childhood dream has been as simple (and as difficult) as one humongous risk, habitual goal setting, a truck-load of hard work and a handful of faith. Let’s unpack that, shall we?"
"Today Mornington-based painter Sam Michelle unveils her solo exhibition, ‘Flourish‘, which will go on show in Sydney next week.
We’re not only fond of her charming oil-on-canvas artworks, but are chuffed to chat to someone who quite clearly shares our obsession-level love of Melbourne florists, ceramicists and textile designers!"
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE JULY 2017
"Melbourne-based artist Sam Michelle is thrilled to have had her first solo exhibition, Flourish, last month. And even more so that the show, at Sydney’s Saint Cloche gallery, completely sold out. When you see Sam’s beautiful still life oil paintings of flowers in unique vessels on patterned fabric and tile backgrounds, it’s not hard to see why they are so covetable.
Sam is now busy working towards her next three(!) solo shows – you can find the details at the end of this post. Here she shares an insight into her creative practice, her dreams, and the fear that propels her forward on her relatively new path as a full time artist".
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE AUG 2017
"To create a painting Sam begins by gathering her flowers, vessels and cloth or table. After lighting the scene in a really interesting manner, she will work in her sketch book creating colour studies and compositions sketches before moving on to the canvas. Time and planning is everything to Sam – I have never worked with such an organised artist. I can always rely on Sam to be up-to-date and organised regarding her practice (an art dealer’s dream!) But there is more to this organisation than one would initially think".
"With the exhibition packed away and the giant check handed over, all that’s left to do before we wrap up the inaugural bluethumb Art Prize exhibition is to announce the highly contested People’s Choice Award winner.
Make no mistake – we don’t go throwing terms like that around lightly. At the end of opening night entry forms came back with votes and scribbles aplenty. Even though this made them a little hard to read at times, it was fantastic to see everyone’s genuine interest and investment in the exhibition (that’s why people were entering, right? Not just to go in the draw for the case of wine?).
So, without further ado, the winner of the People’s Choice Award is… Sam Michelle, for her oil painting Swimming Happy!"
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE FEB 2017
"On one stalking session recently I stumbled across the feed of the incredibly talented Sam Michelle and I was immediately drawn to her work. Her still life paintings, in square format, with their beautiful vases and small figurines reminded me of beautiful styled Instagram pictures; only a thousand times better! I was immediately drawn to her work. Her still life paintings, in square format, with their beautiful vase........."
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE JUN 2016