Cinque Terre Sunlight
20 x 16 in.
Oil on linen panel
Available at Illume Gallery in St. George, UT
for the American Impressionist Society’s Annual Exhibit
“This past October I spent two glorious weeks painting in Tuscany and visiting Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre. My plan had been to return this August to teach a workshop.
Since the Covid19 pandemic changed everything, and I was quarantined to my home/studio, I decided to paint this piece from memory and photo reference. Memories are a huge part of my painting process.
Approximately 85% of my work is done plein air. Most of my work has figures in movement and I use my photographic memory to remember the body language of the figures as they pass by. For studio pieces I also use my memory. Memories of the places I visited; the thoughts, lighting and color are used to enhance the piece. My memory of Vernazza was of dazzling sunlight, glowing umbrellas and friendly people celebrating life.”
Michele Byrne is a contemporary impressionist painter known for her dynamic palette knife paintings full of life, color and movement. Her paintings depict the art of conversation and each piece tells a unique figurative story with brush and knife.
Michele travels extensively, painting plein air in various locations across the United States and abroad. Michele was a Faculty Demonstrator at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in 2019. She is a nominated member of the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Oil Painters of America and a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society. She has three instructional videos with Lilliedahl Productions and a YouTube Channel where she discusses her art practice.
Michele has recently moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and looks forward to painting with a new sense of light and landscape.
Byrne has won numerous awards for her work. Recent awards include:
• President’s Choice Award in the American Impressionist Society’s 2018 Annual Exhibit
• Cover of PleinAir Magazine December/January 2020 issue showing one of her rainy street scenes, along with eight-page article explaining her palette knife technique and process
• Michele’s second video, PALETTE KNIFE Painting with Michele Byrne, was awarded Best Selling Video of the Year by Lilliedahl Productions.
Michele also teaches several workshops each year.
Gallery Representation
Eckert & Ross Fine Art, Indianapolis, IN
Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC
View more of Byrne’s work on her website
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