About the Artist

An Exercise in Balance

Artist Michelle McCune, DVM

To find Dr. McCune in Kenya scratching the last remaining male Northern white rhinoceros in existence epitomizes her journey and mission as an artist. She had this experience in January 2016 at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. While studying to become a veterinarian, Michelle had little knowledge of the path her life would take. There have been moments in her life, looking back, when events occurred which would later lead to new directions. One example happened during veterinary school. Michelle worked in Namibia with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. This experience ignited her passion for conservation, but the greater impact this trip would have would be unveiled later.

Her life was always filled with art and animals. Growing up in Illinois, she spent summers on family's farms in Iowa chasing cats and riding horses. She had books of paper in which she would draw what she saw in the clouds (usually animals). Her earliest recognition of her artistic potential came in 8th grade when she received the Best Artist Award. High school was filled with hard work and honors classes. Michelle (then Pomeroy) was focused on her love of science and animals with plans to become a veterinarian. She also took art classes and was in the Art club. In college, there was little time to pursue art. She hung a sheet on her wall of her apartment to use as a canvas and would buy paints whenever she could find some spare change. After successfully attaining her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois, she went on the veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She chose this school for three main reasons: it was a great school, it was close to nature with a lot of outdoor activities, and it had a giraffe skeleton in the main lobby! Having little time for art, she began to suffer effects of stress. She did not realize her physical and mental need for creative outlets. She did, however, persevere with new found hobbies that kept her in touch with nature, including rock climbing and hiking. She graduated with her DVM in 1996.

Life after veterinary school followed a course of marriage, small animal practice, and children. After the birth of her son in 2000, Dr. McCune's sister encouraged her to attend an evening art class. Her response to her sister was, “I don't paint!” She had no idea what was in store. It took little time for a new passion to develop. Dr. McCune now had to find a balance with her veterinary work, raising a family, and  painting! She began slowly, painting at a class once a week and sometimes at home. In these early years, her found inspiration from photos she had taken in Namibia during veterinary school. While she often helped others correct animal anatomy in their paintings, she was often frustrated she could not always see her own errors! She learned tricks such as using mirrors and turning a painting upside down. She was quite happy with her day job, family, and painting when she could but she wanted to be a part of something bigger; to make a global difference; to help conservation. But how? In 2005, Dr. McCune attended her first wildlife art workshop. It was very difficult for her to leave her two toddlers for an almost week long workshop in Montana, but with the support of her husband, Tim, she boarded a plane for the start of a new adventure. Artists Terry Isaac and Susan Labouri had put together “A Complete Artist's Workshop” including basic instruction on color theory and composition, techniques and basic marketing. The workshop included photoshoots with the animals of “Triple D” game ranch, a well respected organization with trained animals such as bears, wolves, and mountain lions. This workshop was invaluable, her first real training in wildlife art. It was so helpful that she returned to it in 2006 and 2007!

During this time, she discovered Wildlife Art magazine (sadly now out of publication). On the cover of the Jan/Feb 2006 edition sat a man with a life sized charging elephant painting behind him! This man was an artist named John Banovich, a fabulous artist and conservationist. Not only did his work inspire but his words reached deep inside Michelle, reaffirming her passion for conservation and opening a new door. In the article, John Banovich was quoted saying “There is no great nobility in creating an incredible painting... If I am going to be remembered for anything, it is just as a person who caused people to think and realize how important wildlife is.” Here was the missing piece to the puzzle, she could use her art to help conservation! She could use her knowledge of anatomy and animal behavior and her own experiences to add validity to her work. She could be an artists and a veterinarian! There was a workshop with John Banovich in British Columbia for which she signed up immediately. She learned many valuable techniques and tips. During the critique he compared her work to that of the great David Shepherd (what a great compliment!). She went on safari with John Banovich and other artists to Kenya in 2008. A year later, she was lucky enough to have another painting workshop with Banovich in his studio in Montana where he quietly told her she was painting with the highest level of technical skill than anybody in the room! To this day, she is touched by his early encouragement.

Many of her pieces were inspired by this first trip to Kenya. She also found subject matter from a safari in Zimbabwe in 1999 with her husband. In 2012 they traveled to South Africa, returning with their children in 2013. They have also traveled to Costa Rica and Mexico multiple times, always taking photos, gathering reference and experiences which later became paintings. Her inspiration comes not only from her travels, but in meeting and learning from other wildlife artists. Energized by the early workshops she also studied under Jan Martin McGuire, John and Suzie Seerey-Lester, Greg Beecham, and participated in the SKB Workshop. She continues to seek out workshops whenever possible. Another important milestone was her acceptance into the Artists for Conservation in 2008 when she also had a piece juried into their annual show. Here she met Guy Combes, who to this day is a good friend and mentor. She has gone to many of Guy's workshops and was lucky enough to go on safari with him to Kenya multiple times. Her palette has evolved to be quite similar to his with a few adjustments and additions. She discovered it was much easier to use a more limited palette that is premixed then adding in certain favorite accent colors. It has helped her work become more cohesive and her technique more efficient.

2008 was also the first year Dr. McCune began to show her work at local weekend art shows. She was awarded Best of Show at Art in the Barn in Barrington, Illinois as well as Best 2-D at the Mundelein Arts Festival. She has received many purchase awards as well as People's Choice awards. Her art was featured on the cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Association on Sept. 15, 2013. She continues to be recognized and has been in the AFC show multiple times, was awarded Best of Show for her painting “Sudan-Facing Extinction” by the Sedona Arts Prize in November 2016, as well as achieving Meritorious awards in 2016and both Meritorious and Finalist awards in 2017 by the Richeson 75 International Animals, Birds and Wildlife in Art Show.

Through the years, Dr. McCune has had to balance her many passions. She helped people and their pets working in private practice for over 21 years. On her days off, she has developed and worked in her home based studio, constantly improving her art. She was and is a dedicated mother. She achieved her third degree black belt in tae kwon do and continued as an assistant instructor. Martial arts is a great way to stay fit, challenged, and balance both body and mind.

Another turning point came in 2017. She and her family decided to leave Illinois and move the the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.  Within her first 6 months, she became a docent at Any Nuevo State Park, leading tours and educating the public about the elephant seals and the amazing conservation success story behind these amazing creatures. She has decreased her hours in the veterinary hospital and used this time to dedicate to her art. This next chapter will no doubt be exciting!

Her continued dedication and quest to learn and to make a difference lends validity to her work. A passion that comes through with every brush stroke. Years of precious heartbeats are represented on each canvas. John Banovich was discussing the definition of an artist during one of his workshops. It wasn't about the style, medium, palette, years of experience, numbers of work, full time or part time, or how famous one was. He asked if anyone had ever stopped doing their art. A handful raised their arms, Dr. McCune included. He then asked what happened. Most had ended up on anti-depressant medications or in counseling. “An artist,” he said, “is someone who HAS to create.” Dr. McCune has discovered this to be true for herself. Her art allows her to be a better mother, doctor, and a happier more fulfilled person. Her love and understanding of the animals radiates in each piece. She brings a sense of each animal as an individual and opens a door into their unique personalities, lives and behaviors. She creates from only her own references and experiences trying only to use animals in the wild whenever possible. “The muscling and overall look of a wild animal is so different than one in captivity,” she says. “They carry themselves differently in nature, there's something extra in the depths of their eyes. Their behavior completely changes. There is also the rush of adrenaline being out in nature with these magnificent creatures and observing them in their homes, whether it's a small hummingbird perched on a flower in the rain in Costa Rica, or a herd of giant elephants playing in the water in Kenya, or being charged by a rhinoceros in Zimbabwe! All of it fascinates me and I want to share these feelings with as many people as I can! I want my art to make people stop, smile, and think. Think of the animals. Think of the land. Think of how we can all work together to make a difference and preserve these visions for future generations!"