It was not all scribbles and stick figures for a young Michelle Veldhuizen. From an early age, Michelle showed a flare for detail and artistic creativity that was nurtured by a mother who taught various drawing and painting classes at the local municipality and a father who was a structural architect in bridge and arena design.

In the early 80’s, Michelle entered a fundamental school in Langley, British Columbia where artistic creativity was strongly encouraged. She was introduced to various creative realms such as wood carving, sculpting and ceramics and it was here that a passion was realized. Michelle knew she would be absorbed in art for the rest of her life.

In high school Michelle was exposed to many avenues of art. Drawing, painting, photography, commercial design, ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking were only a few of the skills she acquired and excelled in. It was during this time that an opportunity arose for Michelle to do her first mural in her home town at the age of fifteen. Upon completion of this monumental project, the passion to create permanent art pieces in public spaces was born.

While in high school Michelle was chosen as the top contender for two prestigious art competitions. The first was for her submission in 1992 to the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Board where youth were encouraged to design a poster that would make people reflect about the implications of drinking and driving before they got into their car. Her work titled; Think Before You Drink was selected to be displayed in all the Provincial liquor stores.

In 1993 she entered another contest held by the Ministry of Education responsible for multiculturalism and human rights. Titled Hands Unite a Nation, she received recognition for multicultural and ethnic awareness and was invited to Ottawa to receive a Certificate of Recognition from Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

Upon leaving high school Michelle’s portfolio was so comprehensive and strong she was allowed to skip a mandatory two year foundation requirement for postsecondary Art programs. This allowed her to enter into a four year Design program but completed it in only two years.

In 1995 Michelle graduated from Kwantlen University College with a Diploma in Graphic and Visual Design where she majored in Illustration and Photography. Afterwards, she transferred out of Design and into Fine Arts and attained a second Diploma in 1997 majoring in Printmaking, Painting, Photography and Ceramics. From here she made the move to Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, where in 2003 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a double major in Printing Making and Photography.

Michelle has been creating large scale wall murals since 1997. Over the years she has completed more than a dozen of these public art displays. Her most recent is also her largest at 44 feet long and 14 feet high. Titled Nothing Without Effort. it spans the outside wall at Langley Secondary School in Langley, British Columbia. Her work can be seen in various communities, businesses and homes throughout the municipalities of Langley, Surrey, Whiterock and Maple Ridge. Over the last few years her frescos have branched out and now include the complete transformation of an interior space specializing not only in murals but custom painting, faux painting and interior design.