Artist Statement
“Working in Angus, I have been a wildlife artist for many years. I paint in detail the wildlife I observe in Scotland. Working predominantly in pastels my work has grown in popularity and is in private collections worldwide.”
Michelle Hewitt is renowned for her intricate pastel drawings of animals. With a lifelong fascination for the natural world, she was introduced to Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare at a young age, sparking a passion for animal art that has remained with her ever since.
The work of Rubens has also influenced Michelle, particularly how the eyes in his portraits seem to follow the viewer throughout the room. For Michelle, the eyes are the most critical element in any painting, and she always completes them first before moving on to the rest of the piece.
Her preferred medium is soft pastels, as they require no drying time and provide a gentle, refined definition perfect for capturing the texture of fur and feathers. Michelle is thrilled that her art has gained global recognition and is now part of private collections around the world.
Artist Bio
I have painted for many years however, it wasn’t until I relocated to Scotland in 2005 that I began selling my work professionally.
I completed my degree part-time while working full-time as a laboratory technician in the optics labs of the Physics Department. The extensive time spent studying light and its movement through various mediums has given me a keen eye for detail and colour, something I hope is reflected in my artwork.
Nature has always fascinated me, and I can trace my artistic inspiration back to a gift from my primary school teacher—a copy of Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare. That moment sparked my passion for art. I aim to capture the essence and personality of my subjects, often starting by painting the eyes, as I believe they are the windows to the soul.
In addition to creating art, I offer demonstrations and talks to art groups in the Angus & Fife area. I also run beginner and improver classes close to my home in Montrose.
