About me

Hi, I'm Michelle, a self-taught artist from the Wairarapa, now living on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast and creating art from my rural studio.

I have long painted Women, Flora, Fauna and Animalia. I create nostalgic, cinematic portraits and landscapes inspired by the mood and visual richness of the 1960s and ’70s. I’m drawn to the colours, atmosphere and storytelling of that era - I'm a lover of film and music, so my penchant for those elements comes through into my paintings, creating images that can feel both familiar and a little dreamlike.

Through my paintings, I explore the connection between people, places and memory. Each piece is an invitation to step into a scene and imagine the story beyond the frame.

After 20 years as a tattoo artist, I recently closed my studio to follow a new creative path, one focused largely on painting. It's been a meaningful transition, and I'm grateful to have produced commissioned works and to have had a few wonderful collectors acquire my original paintings.

If you'd like to inquire about a commission or anything I'm currently working on, I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out via the contact page.

I also share new works, works in progress, and pieces available for purchase regularly on my social media platforms, so come and visit for a more day-to-day glimpse into my creative world!

Find me on

Instagram @michellemclachlanstudio

TikTok @michellemclachlanstudio

Facebook @michellemclachlanstudio