As a child Michelle Calkins was happy to coordinate her eye and hand, to copy and to achieve technical mastery of her tools. She was very enthusiastic and felt joy of craft, of handling paper and brush, paint and chalk. Michelle actually loved art from her childhood and she knew her career would be in the arts. Since childhood Michelle Calkins has found solace in the creation of art. Today she’s a professional artist whose unique style of design and color simplifies natural elements and forms into almost abstract patterns and shapes. Her works – especially the framed Michelle Calkins art - hang in numerous private and corporate collections. In her work she emphasizes spontaneity, integrity and quality. It is her gift and she tries not to waste it. She has exhibited in numerous one-person and group shows in several places, and she has been featured in many publications. Painting, oil, photography and sculpture are her media of choice. Since 1990, she has been a professional picture framer and so the presentation aspect of the art world is always on her mind. She wants her viewers to enjoy her art as much as she enjoys the process of producing them. She produces artwork that she can also proudly hang on her own wall. Much of her work is influenced by her childhood and by the places she has visited and the people she has interacted with. She gets inspiration from critics and the feedback she receives from her clients and viewers.