While the West Australian landscape is very different to France, the award-winning Madeley artist loves capturing what he sees in ink, oil and watercolour.
‘I went to the Stirling Range to draw and stayed for a week in a caravan but it’s a very dry place except for the salt lakes,’ he said.
‘I love the water and the reflection of water.’
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READ NOWMichel (81), who moved to Perth in 1983, showed artistic talent as a child but did not take up art seriously until his 20s, learning from the masters.
‘When I was very, very young, a teacher said to my mother ‘Michel is very clever with painting and drawing and you must push him in this discipline’,’ he said.
‘Before moving to Perth, I exhibited every year in a different gallery, and won a gold medal and portrait prize.
‘I have continued painting in Perth, exhibiting From Paris to Perth at the Atwell Gallery in Alfred Cove in 1992.’
Having amassed a collection of his work over the years, Michel and partner Anne Aldegheri will host an exhibition at Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre from this Sunday, November 10, to November 20.
Michel will show 57 works, mostly oils, including landscapes, still life and his take on such famous names as Van Gogh and Monet. Most are for sale.
The exhibition, in the centre’s conference room, Rocca Way, is open Sundays, noon-4pm, and Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-5pm.