Biography

Michelle Schwake is a watercolor artist based in Grand Rapids, MN. She paints landscapes of the woods and lakes of northern Minnesota along with everyday scenes from life in this rural region. Her representational paintings show a trend toward realism using a bold and vibrant color palette and strong light and shadow patterns.

 

Michelle graduated from what is now Minnesota State University - Moorhead (formerly Moorhead State University) in 1990 with a degree in Biology. During that time she took a class on drawing which inspired her lifelong interest in art. Since then she has attended various workshops and classes in watercolor painting and most recently studied in oil painting.

 

Michelle enjoys being in the outdoors in all seasons and finds great joy and gratitude in the beauty of the northern landscape. Her strong Christian faith compels her to capture the beauty of God’s creation as a gift back to Him and a way to share with others her beliefs and the beauty of her region.

 

She currently has artwork on display at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, MN and participates in a number of juried art festivals each year in the Twin Cities and northern Minnesota. She won Best Artist in the visual arts category at the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival in 2025.

 

Michelle’s work can be found on the following social media platforms under @michelleschwakeartist: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Threads, LinkedIn.