MICHELLE HERON
Michelle Heron (b.1980) is an urban landscape painter from Norfolk, England but spent many years living in London before finally settling in Italy. Working in acrylic she is 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 emotion of a place.
Michelle’s work has been shortlisted for The Lynn Painter-Stainers' Prize (2016), the 157th Society of Women Artists Annual Open Exhibition (2018), The National Open Art Competition (2016), The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (2017) and was a heat finalist on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018. Michelle has twice been a finalist of The John Ruskin Prize ( 2016 & 2019). In Spring 2018 Michelle joined ArtCan - a non-profit arts organisation that provides exhibition opportunities to enable artists to find their voice and sustain their practice.
Her paintings have been featured in the likes of The Guardian and The Londonist and thanks to an ever-increasing following she is able to boast private and corporate collectors across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Heron’s public art has also been popular and has seen her transform a 'Bookbench' into a permanent art installation found inside Paddington station and paint live at the Olympic Park in front of over 15,000 people. She has produced several permanent and temporary outdoor installations which have been commissioned by various charities and raised £40,000 in total.