Born in Quebec, Canada, Michelene Montgomery holds a Ph. D in Philosophy and Aesthetic Enquiry from the University of Toronto, a Masters in Applied Psychology and a Bachelors in Nursing Science. She gave all this up to attend art classes specialising in acrylic media in the Institute for Visual Arts in Toronto, Ontario.

Micheline has held several Solo shows all over Canada, the USA (New York in particular), France, and has exhibited in group shows as far away as Yugoslavia.

Her connection with Ireland, however, is deeply personal in origin, commencing with family experience of nannies and nurses of Irish descent whose forebears had emigrated to various colonies in Canada during the Great Famine. These nannies and nurses went beyond meeting the practical (physical) needs of their children (or patients) with their unique Irish hospitality and their Celtic tradition and charm they were, for Micheline, "soul workers". During her aesthetic studies, Micheline also made a special study of Buddhist, Celtic and Christian art.

Her art fuses these influences and there is a strong emphasis on strong colours and simplicity of line, demonstrating the influence of the iconography of early Byzantine and Christian art. This is evident in the rich use of traditional gold leaf, primary lapis lazuli blues and strong red and green tints combined with various glazes. Nurse figures as a generic icon of healing feature prominently in her work and this recurrent image links her directly back to her Irish connections and experiences of those carers of Irish origin which informed her earliest childhood experiences, representing figures of compassion, humour, generosity and deep faith. Micheline has visited Ireland many times and has a particular affection for the country. While Micheline’s work is highly individualistic with an emphasis of simplicity of line and form, the influence of Modigliani and Chagal is also evident in her work. She commenced exhibiting at various art fairs in Ireland in the last two years.

" I have always created. I cannot separate art from life. I paint everywhere and every subject: Buddhas, Angels, Mothers, Children, Carers, Nurses are a recurrent themes in my work.

Of nurses, Micheline says: "A nurse is a soul worker. The mending of the body is only a fraction of what she accomplishes each day. With her compassion, kindness and skill she encourages and inspires. Through her caring, courage and everyday heroism, the act of nursing becomes a vocation and is transformed in a universal symbol of healing and grace."

How I embrace life is how I express it through art. What interest me is how we transform the simple ordinary moments as well as the complexities of life’s journey into peace, beauty and transcendence. This is what I strive for in my art. It is an endless spiritual quest, an exciting and magical path to be shared widely. I find it magical and healing and I hope this can be shared with those who value my work.

The Care of Souls 36" x 6" Acrylic on Canvas Board €600

The Bird of Paradise 30" x 22" Acrylic on Canvas paper €950

The Helping Hand 30" x 22" Acrylic on canvas paper €950

The New Mom 16" x 12" Acrylic on canvas paper € 400