Michelle Dreselly: Bio

Michelle Dreselly is a professional artist based in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region, creating vibrant, dynamic work from her studio at The Art Center in Dover, NH. After a successful career in commercial real estate and finance, she took a bold leap in 2023 to fully embrace her lifelong passion for art—a journey deeply rooted in a rich and varied creative background. She studied fashion design at Marist College and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and earned a minor in Fine Arts from San Jose State University. She further honed her craft through advanced programs at the New Hampshire Institute of Art, Sanctuary Arts, and the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program, with a focus on mixed media and oil painting.

Michelle’s work bursts with energy and color, blending abstract expressionism with stylized realism to create pieces that pop with personality and layered complexity. Best known for her expressive, bold portraits of women, her art explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and joyful strength. Through a lively mix of collage, textured acrylics, and rich oil paint, she creates paintings that invite viewers to slow down and savor moments of delight, nostalgia, and connection—fine art with a wink and a splash of whimsy.

“My art is a reflection of wonder, joy, and resilience,” Michelle explains. “I want my work to spark conversations and encourage viewers to connect deeply—not only with the art, but with themselves.” Her work serves as both a voice and a form of healing, allowing her to express the bold, parts of herself that were once held back.

Resonating with collectors around the world, Michelle’s work speaks to those who crave color, curiosity, and the courage to live life wide open—a vibrant celebration of what it means to be fully, freely, and beautifully ourselves.

Living in New Hampshire with her husband and their quirky 80-pound hound dog, Michelle draws inspiration from her love of nature, travel, and a dedicated yoga practice—all of which infuse her creative process with a sense of playfulness and flow. Her studio is open year-round by appointment, welcoming collectors and art lovers alike to experience the vibrant energy behind her work firsthand.

Artist Statement

I create vibrant, joy-filled art with a gentle heart.

My work celebrates color, curiosity, and the quiet magic that shows up when we slow down and simply feel. It’s bold in palette, rich in texture, and often carries a wink of pop-art flair—playful, stylized, and joyfully expressive. With a background in fashion design, I’ve always had a love of color, pattern and a touch of the unexpected. I now follow a freer, more heartfelt path—one rooted in simplicity, wonder, and a deep desire to uplift.

Each piece is built through layers of collage, textured elements, spray paint, mark-making, and acrylics, then finished with lush oil paint. My style blends the spontaneity of abstract expressionism with the comforting familiarity of stylized realism and retro-inspired elements—inviting you to linger, smile, and maybe see something familiar in a brand-new way.

Ultimately, I hope my work brings you back to something quietly powerful: your light, your joy, and the sweet, steady truth of who you already are.

Exhibitions

Current and Upcoming Exhibits/Shows

May 5 - June 30, 2025 - The Brunch Club — Rochester, NH, USA — Solo Show, Featured Artist

January 13 - February 28, 2025 — The Art Center — Dover, NH, USA — Rock The House Exhibition — Group Show

January 18 - February 8, 2025 — Covet Art Gallery — Oceanside, CA, USA — Faces & Figures — Group Art Show

February 6 - March 28, 2025 - Thorne Sagendorph Art Gallery — Keene, NH, USA — 100 Mile Radius — Group Art Show

Past Exhibits/Shows

November 11 - December 31, 2024 — The Art Center — Dover, NH, USA — Annual Contemporary | Abstract Exhibition — Group Show

December 14 - 22, 2024 — See/Saw Art on Hanover — Manchester, NH, USA — Presently — Salon Style Group Exhibit

August 2024 — See/Saw Art on Hanover — Manchester, NH, USA — Group Effort

May 2024 — AVA Gallery and Art Center — Lebanon, NH, USA — The Lift of Blue — An Exhibition Supporting Mental Health Awareness

March 2024 — Buoy Gallery — Kittery, ME, USA — Art PM 2024