American artist Michele Mikesell incorporates elements of Pop art, Surrealism and Expressionism into her eclectic works and creates a unique visual experience for the viewer. Her figurative paintings and portrait paintings depict figures that seem to be peering out at and contemplating anyone within a stone’s throw of the works. In Mikesell’s subjects’ faces, the influence of the 17th-century Dutch masters is also detectable, while her abstract paintings are marked by the influence of postwar Abstract Expressionist painters.
Mikesell was born in Alabama in 1973. She earned her BFA at Texas Woman's University, Denton, in 2002, where she minored in graphic design. In 2004, Mikesell earned her MFA at the University of Oklahoma before moving to Dallas to begin her artistic career. It didn't take long for her to begin turning heads. Dallas-based DECORAZON Gallery, located in the city's historic Bishop Arts District, started representing her in 2006.
When Mikesell begins to work on a piece in her studio, she is unhurried, allowing each project to unfold before her by reacting to the marks in the paint. Many of her paintings are of human figures with whom viewers may feel a sense of familiarity, while other works feature anthropomorphic animals or petroglyphs meant to function as metaphors for the dichotomy of animal instincts and human ideas. Mikesell also draws inspiration from mythology: The Morrigan (2017), for example, is based on a powerful figure from Irish folklore.
Mikesell has exhibited at many art fairs around the world, including SCOPE Art Show, London Art Fair, Aqua Art Miami and the Asia Contemporary Art Show in Hong Kong. She had a solo exhibition at the Ardmore Museum of Art in Oklahoma, and her work is held in numerous private and corporate collections and has been featured in publications like Juxtapoz magazine.
Find original Michele Mikesell paintings on 1stDibs.
Moon Rabbit - Realist Animal Portrait of Hare with patterns and colored dots
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Moon Rabbit Oil on canvas 36 × 36 inches 91 × 91 cm Michele Mikesell’s Moon Rabbit is an enchanting portrait of transformation and quiet mysticism. Against a softly layered ivory b...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Yemaya Sea Mermaid, Oil on canvas, figurative painting with blue pattern palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Yemaya, Goddess of the Seas" is a beautiful oil painting of a mermaid by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Cat - Oil on canvas, Abstract surreal royal figure of beautiful man
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
The Cat Oil on canvas 60 x 60 inches - 152 x 152 cm Michele Mikesell’s The Cat radiates an uncanny elegance, blending surrealist portraiture with aristocratic poise. A seated figure...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Standing Watch, the Jackal-Surreal figurative abstract of animal wearing a suit
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Standing Watch (the Jackal) Oil on canvas 60 x 72 in 152 x 183 cm Michele Mikesell’s Standing Watch (the Jackal) presents a mesmerizing anthropomorphic figure — a jackal-headed bei...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
IBN Battuta, Oil on canvas, figurative painting with blue pattern palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Michele Mikesell's animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements and her signature pristine painting texture and finish. This painting has won...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Griffin - Long abstract figure of man in grey, orange background & patterns
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
The Griffin Oil on canvas 60 × 36 × 1.75 in 152 × 91 × 4 cm In The Griffin, Michele Mikesell creates a commanding, human-scaled portrait that fuses mythic symbolism with contempora...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Phaedra's Horse, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Fylgia, animal figurative portrait, mysterious and whimsical oil painting
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Boar Oil on canvas, surreal figurative abstract painting, bright palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
The Boar Oil on canvas 60 x 60 in 152 x 152 cm Michele Mikesell’s "The Boar" is a surreal, figurative oil painting that draws the viewer into its curious tension between the everyd...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Hecate, surreal figurative abstract painting of woman with two heads and pattern
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Hecate, 2025 Oil on canvas 48 x 36 in 122 x 91 cm Michele Mikesell’s Hecate is a striking figurative painting featuring a woman in a double vision, her dark hair framing a face ren...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Chicken Scratch, Michele Mikesell, Oil on wood, abstract figurative painting
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Oil, Wood Panel
Juno, Oil on canvas, figurative pop art portrait master, pastel color palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Juno" is a beautiful oil painting by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements and her signature pristine painting ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Leanan Sidhe (LAN-an she) - Abstract Surreal Girl with Blue Sky and Clouds
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
The Leanan Sidhe (LAN-an she) Oil on canvas 36 × 40 inches / 91 × 102 cm Michele Mikesell’s The Leanan Sidhe (LAN-an she) is an exquisite, ethereal portrait that transforms Celtic ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Kiefer, oil on canvas, figurative abstract composition with street art flair
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Saint Joseph -- Surreal figurative abstract of flying man and hot air balloons
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Saint Joseph Oil on canvas 36 × 60 in 91 × 152 cm Michele Mikesell’s Saint Joseph unfolds as a surreal, horizontal dreamscape where a solitary figure floats through an open, ivory-...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Simurgh and the Crow, surreal figurative painting of woman in red and gold
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
The Crow (The Simurgh and the Crow) Oil on canvas 60 x 48 in 152 x 122 cm Michele Mikesell’s The Crow (The Simurgh and the Crow) is a striking figurative painting featuring a woman...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Hildebrand, Abstract figurative oil on canvas, Animal-human, soft background
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Dakini, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Artemis, Oil on canvas, abstract figurative painting, yellow and orange
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
The Hemlock Needle, Oil on canvas, figurative painting with blue pattern palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"The Hemlock Needle, Fable of a raven bringing light into the world." is a beautiful oil painting of a mermaid by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautif...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
"Mis en Scene", Oil on canvas, surreal portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
"The Stoic’s Shield", Oil on canvas, whimsical pop art portrait master, round
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Oil, Wood Panel
Agathodaemon, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Kore of Lyons by Michele Mikesell, Oil on canvas, pop figurative painting
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
Kore of Lyons is a stunning pop figurative painting by Michele Mikesell. Using oil on canvas, the figure is abstractly painted with a bright color palette. MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973,...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Agave, Oil on canvas, abstract figurative painting with cheetah woman
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Hammer by Michele Mikesell, abstract and bold colorfiel painting
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
"Arizona" - Surreal figurative narrative oil on canvas
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 31.5 in W 24.81 in D 0.4 in
The Bird: Contemporary Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas, Green
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
The Bird is a Contemporary abstract oil painting on canvas in shades of green, created with professional Winsor & Newton and Rembrandt oil paints. The surface is built up through...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
H 31.89 in W 30.71 in
Horse in Pink Oil Painting on Canvas, Figurative, Signed, 81x78 cm
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Horse in Pink" is an original oil painting on canvas by Colombian artist Luis Xiua, whose work merges figurative and abstract elements inspired by nature, symbolism, and constructiv...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 34.65 in W 34.65 in D 0.4 in
Attempt at Harmony Abstract Painting, Mixed Media, Ochre Tones, 88cm
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Attempt at Harmony" is an abstract painting distinguished by its texture and intertwined layers of color. Dominated by ochre tones, the piece is complemented by flashes of blue, pur...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
H 87.8 in W 59.06 in D 3.94 in
Youth Acrylic and Oil Painting of Unicorn, One-of-a-Kind, 150x223cm
By Katarina Joys
Located in London, London
Unicorn mystery passion spring Swift brushstrokes evoke a sense of power and speed full size of the canvas 156x229cm (size 150x223cm) acrylic, oil on canvas one-of-a-kind The...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
H 8 in W 12 in D 0.2 in
Coral Reef Fish Painting Impasto
By Olga Nikitina
Located in Zofingen, AG
* Title: Coral Reef * Size: 12 x 8 inches * Materials: oil, stretched canvas, palette knife * Shipping: gallery standards packaging, express shipping Bright abstract seascape paintin...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in
Magic Bull in Yellow Oil Painting on Canvas, Signed, 78x100 cm
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Magic Bull in Yellow" is an original oil painting on canvas by Colombian artist Luis Xiua, whose work merges figurative and abstract elements inspired by nature, symbolism, and cons...
Oil, Acrylic, Cotton Canvas
H 78.75 in W 122.05 in D 1.19 in
Untitled - Contemporary Expressive Abstract XXL Oil Painting, Conceptual Art
By Urszula Wilk
Located in Hallein, AT
Urszula Wilk – artist statment: I have always been interested in the idea of infiniteness of a painting and its opposite – that is the physical finitenes...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 0.4 in
Magical Ecstasy Oil Painting on Canvas, Dreamlike Animals, 80x160 cm
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Magical Ecstasy presents a composition in which birds, animals, and human figures coexist within a single pictorial space. The image is organized through fields of color, symbols, an...
Gold Leaf
H 16 in W 16 in D 1 in
Run Bun Run Oil Painting on Cotton Canvas, Contemporary, Framed
By Evy Olsen Halvorsen
Located in Kingston, WA
This is a fanciful image of a child exploring the world and finding delight in the nature around her, surprise and simple pleasures
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 31.5 in W 44.1 in D 0.4 in
Premonition of Eternity, Contemporary Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Premonition of Eternity" – Contemporary abstract oil painting on canvas. The surface is constructed through successive layers of greens, gold, sepia, and magenta, incorporating tran...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 8 in W 12 in D 0.2 in
Hawaii Coral Reef Oil Painting on Stretched Canvas, Impasto, 8x12"
By Olga Nikitina
Located in Zofingen, AG
* Title: Hawaii Coral Reef * Size: 12 x 8 inches * Materials: oil, stretched canvas, palette knife * Shipping: gallery standards packaging, express ship...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 0.79 in
Allow Me to Be Your Friend
By Roxana Khonkulova
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Allow Me to Be Your Friend” is a formulation that sounds both like a choice and a risk at the same time. Here, closeness emerges in the moment of acknowledgment - when a person offe...
Canvas, Oil
H 6 in W 6 in D 1.5 in
Tripod - Playful Long-Limbed Cat Painting, Contemporary Figurative Art
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
“Tripod” showcases Michele Mikesell’s beautifully strange, endearing take on animal portraiture. Painted in oil on board and presented in a 6x6 inch wooden floater frame, this tall, ...
Oil, Board
H 6 in W 6 in D 1.5 in
Jenny - Whimsical Cat Portrait with Big Eyes, Surreal Figurative Art
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
“Jenny” is a small but unforgettable gem by Michele Mikesell, a surreal, wide-eyed cat rendered in oil on board and framed in a 6x6 inch wooden floater frame. With its elongated feat...
Oil, Board
H 33 in W 33 in D 2.5 in
"Bastet", Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art master - framed
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 39 in W 39 in D 2.5 in
The Master of Things, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesel...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Osiris, Oil on canvas, figurative pop art portrait with yellow background
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Osiris" is a fun and beautiful oil painting by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements and her signature pristine...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 21.26 in W 21.26 in D 1.58 in
Muddy Fox, Oil on canvas, figurative pop art portrait with yellow background
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Muddy Fox" is a fun and beautiful oil painting by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements and her signature prist...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 1.58 in
Loci, Oil on canvas, figurative pop art portrait master, pastel color palette
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Loci" is a beautiful oil painting by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face combined with abstract elements and her signature pristine painting ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 1.58 in
Hercules, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
"Hercules, Guardian of the Weak" is a stunning oil painting by Michele Mikesell. Her animal-human figure has a flawless and beautiful face with black ears, against an abstract turquo...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Tu Shen, Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 51.19 in W 38.19 in D 1.58 in
Anubis Reimagined: Abstract Figurative Painting, Mythological & Surreal Themes
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
This captivating oil painting by Michele Mikesell is a striking fusion of abstract and figurative styles, masterfully crafted on a large 51 x 38-inch canvas (130 x 97 cm). Titled "Anubis Reimagined", this piece embodies an evocative exploration of mythological and surreal themes. The central figure, elongated and adorned with a crown-like element, exudes an enigmatic presence, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian deities merged with contemporary abstract expressionism. The muted gray-green background, punctuated by delicate marks and textures, serves as a minimalist stage that accentuates the vivid colors and layered details within the figure. Subtle strokes of bold yellows, reds, and blues blend seamlessly with the raw textures, creating a sense of depth and intrigue. This artwork invites viewers to interpret its narrative while showcasing Mikesell’s signature style—a harmonious balance of mystery, abstraction, and symbolism. Perfect for collectors and art enthusiasts seeking a bold yet contemplative centerpiece, this painting complements modern, eclectic, and minimal interiors alike. Its large-scale format and compelling design make it ideal for gallery walls, luxury residences, or professional spaces. MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 15.75 in W 7.88 in D 1.58 in
Sage, Oil on canvas, abstract figurative painting, yellow and orange
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. Mikesell is a Dallas Artist...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
H 19.69 in W 35.44 in D 1.58 in
"La Mascara", Oil on canvas, mysterious and whimsical pop art portrait master
By Michele Mikesell
Located in Dallas, TX
MICHELE MIKESELL b. 1973, Alabama, USA In 2002, Michele Mikesell earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women's University in Denton, TX. Mikesell completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2004. “Creating individuals is what I find most interesting in the studio. It is my hope that these portraits will be familiar characters to the viewer, subjects we recognize and identify with. My work consistently travels along a general vein of the universal human experience. This particular group of paintings...
Cotton Canvas, Oil