Michelle courier

Michelle Courier, a Michigan-based artist, goes on trips every year in her trusted van, Bessie. Setting off with about 40 paintings and a camera ready to capture the beautiful western United States landscape and later paint in her Studio back home.

"I want to catch these images while they are fresh in my mind, to get the color correct, to relive the Merced River or feel Lake Tahoe for awhile," Courier says.

The daughter of an artistic family, knew from an early age she was destined for a life in the arts. As a child she spent her summers traveling across the United States, as she continues to today, with her family to visit her father's galleries. Falling in love with that life, she later followed her father's footsteps to become a professional painter.

Courier started out painting skies and tree-scapes, but has been dabbling in painting water scenes for a few years and loves the challenges it provides.

"I am doing mostly larger works now, 48 by 72 inches or larger. It's exciting for me ... I want the viewer to feel as I felt while capturing the scene, like you are a part of it."