purpose and intentions

I paint stories of the human experience. The soul of life is demonstrated in depictions of figures interacting within a realm of time, realities, and one another. I paint that that is seen and unseen. I depict the beauty that often exists after a tragedy. I express the plane of existence pictorially divided and fragmented, as the energy and emotion around each being and happening. Often this movement is abstract, and often it is literal. I create images from inside myself. Most of my paintings are of women and their realities as they relate to the human experience. I have worked in oils since my early life and prefer my expressions to be shared in their radiance applied using master techniques.

The cause for which I create is my acute foresight and sense of the interconnectedness of all elements of all time. What is seen and not seen. Known and not known. Contemporaneous, interacting, and incessantly influencing one another in a continuum of the past, present, and future. The entirety exists concurrently.

I render the human relationship with eternity. I convey the human experience, acts, thoughts, sentiments, and situations layered upon all those of the past. Extending that human existence as we experience it is bound to the continuum of time.

My vision is the complex language of layering multiple levels of imagery representational of the complicated content of a consequence, condition, moment, notion, or incident. The dialogue I consign contains all elements past and present, their atmosphere, and the energy of all factors collectively interacting. My work foreshadows the continuum of the condition.

I paint to deliver a vision that others have not seen. I work to share what the human eye alone is incapable of seeing. Just as it takes a microscope to see microorganisms or a telescope to see the universe beyond Earth, my understanding attempts a lens or instrument that can illustrate the entirety of a situation.

biography

Michele Utley Voigt rose to artistic acclaim in early childhood. Her professional painting instruction commenced at the age of five. She competed in numerous jurroried shows and exhibitions winning countless awards and national recognition. Voigt placed ahead of peers whom were collegiate or professional artists. In her youth, Voigt came under the mentorship of many renowned artist organizations. The Oklahoma Arts Institute provided a channel that allowed Voigt to work with international artists.

Endowed with Howard Kanovitz as a mentor, teacher and friend, Voigt came to know iconic American artists such as Larry Rivers. Kanovitz dubbed “the grandfather of photorealism” received Voigt into his fellows including the notorious East 13th Street Band made up of art notables. By her teens, Voigt had recruiters from art institutes and universities coming to meet her in her high school studio. She received art scholarships to every major art institute in the United States and many universities. Michele attended the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design and Parsons Art Institute in Paris receiving her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.

"I paint to change the world. I paint to change people’s hearts, views, and politics. I thought I could change the world through art. After art school, I had a shocking revelation. I realized that I could not benefit people whom could not access me. My influence was limited to those whom participated in the visual arts. I realized I could not affect the changes I wanted to from where I was positioned. I understood then that if I wanted to change society I had to work within society. I began a nineteen year career in social services. I returned to university to study political science and prelaw. Art was not enough.”

Voigt began teaching art to adults with developmental disabilities. In her shop she employed and trained them. Over the years her exhibits grew to assist artists with all types of disabilities throughout the Los Angeles area. "I helped them sell their work. They received a pay check. Their life changed. Immediately I appreciated how earning pay changes lives. I had to move forward. I had to expand. Art is a fortunate and difficult way to earn an income. Everyone can work and everyone benefits from work. The economic independence it provides empowers self-determination. I moved on to create employment for all restricted populations; mentally ill, welfare recipients, ex-felons, immigrants, refugees, the homeless, un/underemployed; eventually everyone! Work changed their lives and that impacted the world.”

Voigt left her career with Non-Profits in 2007. She moved to New York City to return to paint. “Howard (Kanovitz) patiently and consistently reminded me that I had to live life in order to paint it. My art tells the story of the human soul and experience. I paint it as I have faced it. I no longer merely paint to change the world. I am a material contribution to change and my paints continue to tell the unheard, under-heard and the unseen stories.”

Voigt exhibits internationally, in New York, Los Angeles, London, Florence, Miami, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Connecticut, and Santa Fe. Annually she participates in major art fairs. Favorites include CONTEXT Art Miami, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, Art Wynwood, ARTROOMS London, Florence Biennale, and SCOPE. Her work can be found in many private collections, museums, and institutions. Voigt recently concluded a successful solo exhibition with Aston Martin at The Gallery, Aston Martin Residences, Miami, FL. Exclusive works are available through Bergdorf Goodman, New York. Many of her works are part of institutional and private collections.

Education

The Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, Los Angeles, CA 1991

Parsons School of Design, Paris, France 1988

California State University, Los Angeles, CA (BA) Pre Law/Political Science 1994

Exhibitions

2022

Art Expo Dallas, Dallas, TX, September 2022

Aston Martin The Gallery, Miami, FL, August to Oct. 2022 Solo, Domestic Situation

Art Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, July 2022

Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, Art Miami, Palm Beach, FL, March 2022

2021

Art Miami Context, Miami, FL, December 2021

Art Expo New York, New York, NY, Special Invited Exhibit & Lecture, October 2021

She is Rising, Carriage Barn Art Center, New Canaan , CT, May 2021 Featured

Blink Art Group & Contemporary Art Projects USA, Miami, FL, September 2020, Art Has No Rules

Art Wynwood, Miami FL, February 2021

East Hampton City Arts, East Hampton, MA, June 2021, Wear Orange

2020

Art Miami Context, Miami FL, December 2020

Open Doors, New York, NY, November 2020, The Collection

Art Wynwood, Miami FL, February 2020

Artebinaria, Art Inside Gallery, Florence, Italy, 2020 Solo

2019

Red Dot, Miami FL; December 2019 Invited Artist

Carriage Barns Art Center, June 2019 The Art of Being a Girl Featured Artist

SCOPE New York, NY NY; March 2019

Art Wynwood, Miami FL; February 2019

2018

SCOPE, Miami FL: December 2018

JanKossen Contemporary, NY NY; August 2018 Order and Chaos

Carriage Barn Arts Center, New Canaan CT; June 2018

Art Lovers, NY NY; May 2018 Solo with Installation

Love Art Gallery, Norwalk CT: March 2018 Nevertheless She Persisted

Art Boca Raton, Boca Raton FL; March 2018, Featured Artist

SCOPE New York, New York NY; March 2018

Jankossen Contemporary, NY NY; January 2018, FRESH!

Art Palm Beach, Palm Beach FL; January 2018, National Invited Artist

2017

Scope, Miami Beach FL; December 2017, Represented Artist

Red Dot, Miami FL; December 2017, Resident Artist

Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy; October 2017, Invited Artist

Young Circle Arts Gallery, Miami FL; August 2017, Guest Artist

Art Santa Fe, Santa Fe NM; July 2017, National Invited Artist

ARTROOMS, London, U.K.; January 2017, Selected Artist

Art Boca Raton, Boca Raton FL; March 2017, Featured Artist

Art Palm Beach, Palm Beach FL; January 2017, Invited Artist

2016

Art Basel, Spectrum, Miami, FL, U.S.A; December 2016, Spotlight Artist, Beyond Shadow: Michele A Utley Voigt, Solo Exhibition

Mainline Gallery, Tulsa, OK, U.S.A.; August 2016, Beyond Shadow: Michele A Utley Voigt, Solo Exhibition

Sweet ‘Art, London, U.K.; July 2016 SHE, Group Exhibition

Art Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, U.S.A.; U.S.A. July 2016, Group Exhibition

Galerie Numero 1, Paris, FR; April 2016 Abstract Painting Exhibition, Prize Winner, Group Exhibition

Art Expo New York, New York, NY, U.S.A.; April 2016, Solo Exhibition, Beyond Shadow: Michele A Utley Voigt

Channel Islands Studios Blackboard Gallery, Camarillo, CA, U.S.A; March – April 2016, Dynamic, Group Show

HUD Gallery, Ventura, CA, U.S.A.; January – February 2016, Discernible Effects, Featured Artist

2015

Art Basel Miami, Spectrum, Miami, FL, U.S.A.; December 2015, Group Exhibition

RANKART, Galerie Numero 1, Paris, FR; October 2015, Abstract Painting Exhibition, Winner, Group Linus Galleries, Southern California, U.S.A.; October 2015, Abstracts, Group Exhibition

National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY, U.S.A., April 2015 Voices: An Artist's Perspective, Group Exhibition

Art Goes Electronic, West Hollywood Arts Commission, Digital Billboard Public Exhibition Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. April 2015, Solo Exhibition

Celebrating Diversity Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A., March 2015, Skies, Group Exhibition

Linus Galleries, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A. March 2015, Lines & Curves, Group Exhibition

2014

Art Basel, SCOPE, Miami, FL, U.S.A. December 2014, Art Takes Miami, Group Exhibition

Linus Galleries, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A., October 2014, Big C, Group Exhibition

Linus Galleries, Southern California, CA, U.S.A., August 2014, World Around You, Group Exhibition

City Lights Gallery with World Artists Network, Bridgeport, CT, U.S.A., Make Art Not War, Group Exhibition

Recent Publications

Robb Report, August 2022, Aston Martin, Aquasition

New Canaanite, May 27, 2021, She is Rising, Hannah Tiller

Fairfield Magazine, May 19, 2019, The Art Of Being A Girl Benefit, Moffly Media

New Canaan-Darien Magazine, November/December 2019 , Girl Power, Moffly Media

Art Daily Magazine, July 20, 2018, Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal, Order & Chaos

Art Week, July 19, 2018, Editor, Order & Chaos

Voigt, Michele A. Utley: #NOW, ISBN: Softcover 978851131 2018

Florence Biennale, 2017, International Biennial Contemporary Art XIth Edition, p.521

Italy UK Partnership Magazine, December 2016, Editor, Cover

Vol. 3 Spectrum Miami 2016, Fatima Canovas, Michele A Utley Voigt Solo

Spectrum Miami, Elevate, December 2016, Editor, 2016 Spotlight Artists: Michele A Utley Voigt p. 48

Metropolitan Luxe, December 2016, Travel and Leisure, Miami’s Art Week – Art Basel’s notables plus This Year’s “Not to Miss” Satellite Fairs: Michele Utley Voigt at Spectrum

Art Daily News International Magazine, December 2016, Editor, Michele A. Utley Voigt Named Spectrum Miami Spotlight Artist

ARTslant Magazine, December 2016, Artslant Team, Under the Radar: Sean Fader | Bianca Pratorius | Michele A. Utley Voigt, Whom Not to Miss During Art Miami Week

Art Daily News International Magazine, November 2016, Editor, Solo Artist, Art Basel – Where Emerging Artists Become Famous

Art Daily News International Magazine, July 2016, Canovas, Fatima, Artist Spotlight – Beyond Shadow Solo

Voigt, Michele A. Utley: Beyond Shadow, ISBN: Softcover 9781367455795 2016

Art Daily News International Magazine, May 2016, Canovas, Fatima, Artist Interview

Artist Portfolio Magazine Issue 24, Editor, Cover Art Exhibition, Artist Interview, issuu 2015, p. 10-15

Gutfreund, Karen Voices: An Artists Perspective, UniteWomen.org, ISBN: 9781939637116 2015, p. 156

Awards

2016 Spotlight Artist Award, Art Spectrum Miami

2016 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 5

2016 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 4

2016 Abstract Painting Exhibition Prize Winner Galerie Numero 1, Paris, FR

2015 Abstract Painting Exhibition Prize Winner, Galerie Numero 1, Paris, FR

2015 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 4

2015 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 3

2015 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 1

2015 Artist Portfolio Magazine Cover Competition, Prize Winner, Featured Spread

2015 World Citizen Artist Competition, Finalist, Belgravia Gallery, London, U.K.

2014 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 6

2014 ArtSlant Showcase Prize Winner Round 5

Professional Organizations

Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles, CA

National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK