Michelle Dahl (1983) is a Sacramento-based oil painter, artist, and educator. In her early years, she excelled as a student and thrived in available art classes. Unable to find the formal technical training she sought, she pursued self-study alongside her degree program, forging her own path to develop a more defined drawing and painting practice. From her Sacramento studio, she passionately explores light, form, and color.
Her narrative oil paintings blend dreamlike imagery with realism. Michelle’s subjects—human figures, skulls, and florals—reflect recurring themes of hope, loss, and light in darkness. Living with a disability since 2013, a pivotal shift occurred after a challenging surgery in 2021. While her subject matter has remained consistent, she began exploring a more beautiful and provocative memento mori style, emphasizing human emotion and resilience.
Michelle is renowned for her lifelike commissioned portraits and the glowing chiaroscuro of her narrative works. Her art is recognized for dynamic brushwork, created with “a delicate hand,” and for its refined details. Her work has been featured in national and international group exhibitions, juried shows, and publications. She has earned multiple awards, and her pieces hang in private collections across the country.
When she’s not in the studio, Michelle enjoys spending time with her two Boston Terriers, working on knitting projects, or tending to her lush garden.
SELECT AWARDS & HONORS
2025 Talent Award from Teravarna 9th Annual Figurative International Exhibit
2025 1st Place Oil, Rocklin Fine Arts Juried Art Show, Rocklin CA
2025 Artist in Residence with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
2019 Purchase Award, Ridley Gallery, Rocklin, CA
2019 Dean’s Choice Award, Sierra College Library, Rocklin, CA
SELECT EXHIBITS
June 2025 Juried Group Show – SWA 164th International, Mall Galleries, London, UK
April 2025 Juried Group Show – Made In California, Brea, CA
April 2025 Juried Online Show – Richeson 75, Kimberly WI
February 2025 Juried Group Show – Rocklin Fine Arts, Rocklin, CA
January 2025 Group Show – Life is Our Canvas, EDH Atrium, Eldorado Hills, CA
November 2024 Juried Group Show– Mother Lode Exhibit, Sacramento CA
October 2024 Solo show – Trojan Horse, The Catalyst, Stockton, CA
May 2024 Group Show – Midtown Mini Love, Sacramento CA
May 2024 Group Show – A Space in Between, Sacramento CA
May 2024 Collaborative – Northern CA Dance Conservatory, Roseville, CA
March 2024 Group show – Her Inner Light, Urban Hive Gallery, Sacramento, CA
February 2024 Solo show – Incandescent Umbra, Arthouse Gallery, Sacramento, CA
February 2024 Napa Art Walk – Mia Carta, Napa, CA
October 2023 Group show Dia De Los Muertos, The Catalyst, Stockton, CA
May 2023 Panel Discussion – Career Creatives, CLARA Auditorium, Sacramento, CA
December 2022 Solo show – 100 Portraits, The Art Studios, Sacramento, CA
2022 Artist Feature, The Medium, Sacramento, CA
2022 Group show – Celebrating women in art, The Catalyst, Stockton, CA
2022 Group show – In Bloom, The Spanish Fly, Sacramento, CA
2022 Two-Person Exhibit – New artist feature, The Art Studios, Sacramento, CA
2021 Group show – Friendsgiving, Third Eye Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2021 Willapa Heritage Foundation Art Auction “Hearts for the Arts,” South Bend, WA
2020 Willapa Heritage Foundation Art Auction “Hearts for the Arts,’ South Bend, WA
2019 Group Show – Juried Student Art Show, Ridley Gallery, Rocklin, CA
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