In the bustling city of Chicago, amidst the blend of architectural grace and the brisk winds, lives a painter whose canvases are splashed with colors so vivid they seem almost alive. Michelle Rotert, originally from Clinton, Missouri, has cultivated a style that is as personal as it is captivating. Her journey from a small town to one of America’s biggest cities shapes a narrative that is as rich in color as her artworks.
Michelle’s path began in the heartland of America, where she was born and raised. Her artistic journey took its first steps at the University of Central Missouri, where she pursued a degree in commercial art. This academic backdrop, coupled with her early experiences, laid a solid foundation for her artistic philosophy and techniques. After university, she ventured into the world of graphic design in Kansas City, a role that honed her eye for detail and composition but also left her yearning for a more personal means of expression.
In 2012, Michelle took a significant leap, moving to Chicago. This transition marked a new chapter in her life and art. Chicago, with its vibrant arts scene and diverse cultural landscape, provided her with fresh inspirations and opportunities. It was here that Michelle embraced her true calling as a painter, using acrylics on canvas to express her inner vision.
Michelle’s medium of choice, acrylic paint, offers vibrant colors and a versatility that suits her dynamic approach to painting. She prefers canvas for its texture and the way it interacts with acrylic paints, allowing her to layer and blend colors effectively. Her art is deeply personal, revolving around themes that are universally resonant—nature, human behavior, and reflections of her own experiences.
Color plays a pivotal role in Michelle’s work. She describes it as a personal element, something that speaks directly to the viewer’s senses and emotions. Her palette is inspired by the natural world—the way light shifts during the day, especially the golden hours when the sun casts elongated shadows and bathes everything in a warm glow. These moments are not just seen but felt, and this sensory experience is what Michelle aims to capture on her canvas.
One of her works, “Pigeon House,” exemplifies her unique approach to art. The piece, a long horizontal canvas measuring 12 inches by 66 inches, is more than just a painting; it’s a narrative captured in hues. Inspired by her travels in southwestern France, specifically the region of Montaut in Dordogne, the artwork reflects the serene and timeless landscape she encountered.
“Pigeon House” portrays an old, abandoned pigeon house standing alone in the vastness of the countryside. Michelle uses pinkish-purple tones to echo the evening slant of the sun, a moment when light transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. The farmland fields stretch across the canvas, inviting the viewer to step into a world both tranquil and stirring.
Michelle’s work is more than an aesthetic endeavor; it’s an exploration of life’s quiet moments and the profound stories they tell. Her paintings are conversations in color, dialogues between the artist and her medium, and ultimately, between the artwork and its beholder.
In a world where art often leans towards the abstract and interpretative, Michelle’s work is refreshingly accessible yet deeply thoughtful. It invites viewers to find parts of themselves within the canvas, reflecting on how simple scenes from nature can mirror complex human emotions.
In Chicago, Michelle has found not just a home but a community. The city’s rich tapestry of arts and culture has embraced her, providing platforms for her work to be seen and appreciated. Her paintings invite passersby to pause and contemplate, to engage in the visual and emotional dialogue she creates.
Michelle Rotert’s journey from a graphic designer in Missouri to a celebrated painter in Chicago is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. Through her art, she continues to explore the interplay of light, color, and emotion, capturing fleeting moments with permanence and sharing her unique perspective with the world. Each stroke, each color choice, and each canvas tells a story—a story woven from the heart of an artist who sees the world in vibrant color.
