Michele Wells, APS, Founding Member of Heartland Art Club, and Past President of Gateway Pastel Artists.

In addition to pastel painting, teaching, and being an electrician, Michele was the president of Gateway Pastel Artists for nine years. This amazing, talented lady will be missed by so many.

Michele in the mountains in San Miguel.

Michele Wells, APS, had an incredible life! As a young woman, she trained Arabian horses and trained a team of horses to pull a wagon in unison. After that, she started swing dancing, becoming a nationally renowned competitive dancer, where she choreographed and made the costumes for her and her partners’ dance routines. She met her soon-to-be husband through dancing, and they competed together in national competitions.

In 1999, she revisited the art of her youth, finding pastel painting an outlet to express her feelings and to capture those of others. Over the years, painting became Michele’s career and focus. She also decided to join her husband’s profession, becoming a commercial electrician.

Michele was a fabulous pastel teacher, giving her knowledge so others could find enjoyment in art too. Her love of teaching and travel helped her decide to organize art trips—Spain, France, Amsterdam, Mexico, and Canada were some to the art trips she put together for her students and friends. These trips included teaching her students pastel painting and travel logging with ink and watercolor.

Art Trip to San Miguel, led by Michele Wells.