Michelle Muhlbaum, born May 14, 1961, in Tel Aviv, Israel is a multi media artist who has shown her work both in the United States and abroad. She is known for her beautiful surface embellishment; whether for her finely detailed drawings or highly embellished paintings and assemblages.
Muhlbaum was born to an Israeli mother, and father who came to Israel after surviving Bergen Belsen. Her family came to the US when she was 2 years old. Return visits to the country of her birth had a huge impact on her work in imagery as well as color and light.
The artist has always said she chose her medium based on her content. After years of creating prints, paintings, assemblages and sculpture, Muhlbaum turned to drawing. While working on her most recent works, Angels, the artist began stripping down her highly worked surfaces to the most essential marks.
Every dot, every stroke has meaning.
An award of show from Betye Saar in 1998 is her most treasured acknowledgement. Her work is in collection both here and abroad. Presently Michelle Muhlbaum owns and directs her own art school, The House of Colors in Brookline, MA. She works with children, teens and adults. She finds teaching an inspiration for her work.
Education:
MFA 1986 The School of the Museum of Fine Arts/Tufts University
joint graduate program, Boston, MA, teaching assistantship
BFA Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
One year at Tyler School of Art abroad in Rome
Studied under renown printmaker Romas Viesulas for 4 years
National Deans List
Ruth Leaf Studio School, Douglaston, NY
Studied printmaking 1976-1979
Worked for Ruth from 1983-84 as her personal assistant, edition printer
and assistant teacher
Teaching: Mount Ida College, Simmons College, Framingham State, The Art Institute of Boston, Newbury College, Boston Aid to the Blind, Ruth Leaf Studio School, The Danforth, Brockton Fuller Memorial and Fitchburg Museums.