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 embrace a new chapter— one rooted in a lifelong love of making art. Her artistic path is shaped by early studies in fashion design at Marist College and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, a Fine Arts minor from San Jose State University, and advanced training through the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program, where she deepened her focus on mixed media and oil painting.
Michelle’s work bursts with energy and color, blending abstract expressionism with stylized realism to create bold, memorable pieces that invite closer inspection. Best known for her expressive portraits of women, she explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and joy. Through a lively mix of collage, textured acrylics, and luminous oils, she creates fine art with a wink and a splash of whimsy — moments meant to slow down the viewer and spark a sense of delight, nostalgia, and connection.
“My art is a reflection of wonder, joy, and resilience,” Michelle explains. “I want my work to stimulate conversations and invite viewers to connect — not only with the piece, but with themselves.” Her work serves as both voice and healing, allowing her to express bold, authentic parts of herself that were once held back.
Resonating with collectors around the world, Michelle’s pieces speak 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 nature, travel, and a dedicated yoga practice — threads that infuse her creative process with playfulness and flow. Her studio at The Art Center in Dover is open year-round by appointment, a colorful space where collectors and visitors alike can experience the stories, textures, and 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 appears 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. Today, I 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.