Michelle Heron
Valdagno, VICENZA Italy
English artist Michelle Heron is a painter working in acrylic, known primarily for her paintings that immortalise the many threatened independent shops that make our high streets what they are. Her paintings were described by art curator and TV prese... More
Artist Statement:
English artist Michelle Heron is a painter working in acrylic, known primarily for her paintings that immortalise the many threatened independent shops that make our high streets what they are. Her paintings were described by art curator and TV presenter Kate Bryan: "It’s such a clever way of tackling landscape, to give us a focus of a shopfront. It makes you think of the Impressionists when they loved painting people through glass, sitting in cafes or bars." Her work has been compared with Edward Hopper and George Shaw for her sensitive use of colour and light and the way her paintings capture the mood and feelings of a place.
She earned a degree in Fine Art in 2002 in England, UK. Michelle’s work has been shortlisted for The Lynn Painter-Stainers' Prize (2016), The John Ruskin Prize (2016 & 2019) and The National Open Art Competition (2016) and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (2017). In 2018 Michelle was selected to exhibit in the 157th Society of Women Artists Annual Open Exhibition in London.
She earned a degree in Fine Art in 2002 in England, UK. Michelle’s work has been shortlisted for The Lynn Painter-Stainers' Prize (2016), The John Ruskin Prize (2016 & 2019) and The National Open Art Competition (2016) and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (2017). In 2018 Michelle was selected to exhibit in the 157th Society of Women Artists Annual Open Exhibition in London.
Education:
BA (honours) Fine Art 2002.
Awards & Distinctions:
2019
The John Ruskin Prize - Finalist - The Holden Gallery, Manchester.
2018
The Society of Women Artists - Exhibited shortlist - Mall Galleries, London.
Loop Gallery London, Jury's Award nominee.
2016
National Open Art Competition - Exhibited shortlist - Mercers' Hall, London.
Lynn Painter Stainers' Prize - Exhibited shortlist - Mall Galleries, London.
The John Ruskin Prize - Exhibited shortlist - The New Art Gallery, Walsall.
2002
The Student Turner Prize - Exhibited finalist - Catto Contemporary Gallery Shoreditch.
1999
HRH Prince of Wales' Young Artists' Britain Award - Exhibited finalist - Hampton Court Palace.
The John Ruskin Prize - Finalist - The Holden Gallery, Manchester.
2018
The Society of Women Artists - Exhibited shortlist - Mall Galleries, London.
Loop Gallery London, Jury's Award nominee.
2016
National Open Art Competition - Exhibited shortlist - Mercers' Hall, London.
Lynn Painter Stainers' Prize - Exhibited shortlist - Mall Galleries, London.
The John Ruskin Prize - Exhibited shortlist - The New Art Gallery, Walsall.
2002
The Student Turner Prize - Exhibited finalist - Catto Contemporary Gallery Shoreditch.
1999
HRH Prince of Wales' Young Artists' Britain Award - Exhibited finalist - Hampton Court Palace.
Exhibitions:
2019
The John Ruskin Prize, The Holden Gallery, Manchester - finalist.
From ArtCan With Love - ArtCan Org postcard fundraiser, Fitzrovia Gallery, London.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - Pre-selected.
Sussex Art Fair (West), Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester.
The Dragon Gallery - Group show - Petworth, England.
2018
Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018, heat finalist.
The Secret Charter Postcard Auction, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London.
44 Artworks, ArtCan Org, 44 Hallam Street, London.
157th Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - Pre-selected.
Loop Gallery London, Urban Showcase.
Talented Art Fair, The Old Truman Brewery London.
2017
The Other Art Fair London, The Old Truman Brewery (Selected by designjunction as one of the 4 must see artists)
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London.
Art at the Bridge #8, Construction-Destruction-Reconstruction, Tower Bridge, London.
Battersea Power Station Development, London - two paintings on the hoarding surrounding the complex.
2016
National Open Art Competition, The Mercers' Hall, City of London.
Lynn Painter Stainers Prize, Guildford House Gallery, Surrey.
The John Ruskin Prize, The Electrician’s Shop Gallery, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London.
Lynn Painter Stainers Prize, Mall Galleries, London.
The John Ruskin Prize, The New Art Gallery, Walsall.
Creative Debuts, 20 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London.
2015
Whitechapel Gallery First Thursdays Showcase XI, Creative Debuts, Black and White Building, Shoreditch, London.
Battersea Art Station, Battersea Arts Centre, London.
2013
Nothing Here, Free Space Gallery, Kentish Town, London.
2012
Hackney Christmas Fair, Hackney Town Hall, London.
Showcase Cities, Richmix, Shoreditch, London.
2011
Angel Christmas Art Fair, Candid Arts Trust, London.
2010
Winter Open, BHVU, Stoke Newington, London.
2009
Absorb Arts, Dalston, London.
2008
Home, Moogie Wonderland Nightclub, Rochester, Kent.
2004
Switch-London 50/500, Great Titchfield Street, London.
2002
The Sefton Open, The Atkinson Art gallery, Southport (Shortlisted).
Unscene, The Student Turner Prize, Catto Contemporary Gallery, Shoreditch, London.
1999
Young Artists' Britain Award, Sheeran Lock Gallery, London.
Young Artists' Britain Award (HRH Prince Charles 50th Birthday), Hampton Court Palace, London.
The John Ruskin Prize, The Holden Gallery, Manchester - finalist.
From ArtCan With Love - ArtCan Org postcard fundraiser, Fitzrovia Gallery, London.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - Pre-selected.
Sussex Art Fair (West), Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester.
The Dragon Gallery - Group show - Petworth, England.
2018
Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018, heat finalist.
The Secret Charter Postcard Auction, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London.
44 Artworks, ArtCan Org, 44 Hallam Street, London.
157th Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - Pre-selected.
Loop Gallery London, Urban Showcase.
Talented Art Fair, The Old Truman Brewery London.
2017
The Other Art Fair London, The Old Truman Brewery (Selected by designjunction as one of the 4 must see artists)
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London.
Art at the Bridge #8, Construction-Destruction-Reconstruction, Tower Bridge, London.
Battersea Power Station Development, London - two paintings on the hoarding surrounding the complex.
2016
National Open Art Competition, The Mercers' Hall, City of London.
Lynn Painter Stainers Prize, Guildford House Gallery, Surrey.
The John Ruskin Prize, The Electrician’s Shop Gallery, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London.
Lynn Painter Stainers Prize, Mall Galleries, London.
The John Ruskin Prize, The New Art Gallery, Walsall.
Creative Debuts, 20 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London.
2015
Whitechapel Gallery First Thursdays Showcase XI, Creative Debuts, Black and White Building, Shoreditch, London.
Battersea Art Station, Battersea Arts Centre, London.
2013
Nothing Here, Free Space Gallery, Kentish Town, London.
2012
Hackney Christmas Fair, Hackney Town Hall, London.
Showcase Cities, Richmix, Shoreditch, London.
2011
Angel Christmas Art Fair, Candid Arts Trust, London.
2010
Winter Open, BHVU, Stoke Newington, London.
2009
Absorb Arts, Dalston, London.
2008
Home, Moogie Wonderland Nightclub, Rochester, Kent.
2004
Switch-London 50/500, Great Titchfield Street, London.
2002
The Sefton Open, The Atkinson Art gallery, Southport (Shortlisted).
Unscene, The Student Turner Prize, Catto Contemporary Gallery, Shoreditch, London.
1999
Young Artists' Britain Award, Sheeran Lock Gallery, London.
Young Artists' Britain Award (HRH Prince Charles 50th Birthday), Hampton Court Palace, London.
Artistic Influences:
The first artist that really ignited my love of paint was Lucian Freud. Before I became interested in painting architecture I was painting the human figure. Studying his work I think helped me to really observe colour which has informed my skills today. My work is also heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, I love a strong diagonal shadow and never paint people as I think they take away the mystery of the scene. Another big influence is George Shaw. A tutor introduced his work to me during my degree. I loved his documentary style of the place where he grew up, at the time my work was about suburbia as that was where I grew up. I admire his work ethic (painting for long hours every day) and the emotion and atmosphere he creates using Humbrol enamel paints. It also led me to look more in depth at my environment, the social aspect of the places I paint. I have always been interested in other people’s lives, attitudes and behaviour, maybe a bit like Lucian Freud and his Grandfather!
Artist Tags:
hopper, cityscape, architecture, impressionistic, contemporary, urban
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