2412 2^nd Avenue North: Gallery Lofts

Michelle Prahler was born in Pontiac, Michigan. Her artistic talent was encouraged by many members of her family who included a muralist, botanical painter and clothes designer. After graduating with a BFA from Michigan State University she became a Graphic Designer for ten years. In 2001 she transferred her skills from designing such things as book covers and toy packaging to creating works of art. She now creates oil paintings on wood with collage elements. Many compare her paintings to the works of Klimt and Hundertwasser. You can see her work at Naked Art Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama or Square Roots in Decatur, Georgia and Art Festivals held mainly in Atlanta and Detroit. She lives and works in Decatur, GA.

All of my images are on wood (birch) with a two inch frame built around the work. The imagery, which incorporates fluid, continuous line work, is transferred on the wood. After I transfer the image I apply colored wood stains, or dye to some parts of the paintings. Next, I apply a variety of different papers, such as maps, origami, labels, tickets, calendars and candy wrappers. After that, I outline the drawing in colored liquid acrylics, and then I finish the process with oil paint for the rest of the color work. When the whole work is completed, I seal it with a coating of high gloss polymer varnish.