From Teaching to Canvas: How I Turned My Passion for Art into a Full-Time Career

From Teaching to Canvas: How I Turned My Passion for Art into a Full-Time Career

I didn’t always work in paint-splattered clothes with a coffee in one hand and neon colours in the other.  Infact, I only just discovered art at the ripe old age of 42!  (No thanks to my Yr8 Art teacher, that told me that art wasn't for me!)

Not long ago, I was a full-time PE and maths teacher. For 15 years, I gave everything to my students until I realised, I was slowly losing touch with myself. I had pushed so long in a job that no longer lit me up, that I almost forgot what did.

That all changed when I picked up a paintbrush again.

What started as a creative outlet became a calling I could no longer ignore. I began painting in the quiet moments first for fun, then for friends, and eventually for collectors around the world who felt something when they saw my work.

Today, I’m a full-time artist based in Brisbane, Australia, creating colourful, joyful pop art with personal meaning. My artworks have ended up in homes from Sydney to San Francisco, from country farmhouses to fashion-forward apartments each piece infused with a story, a spark, a sense of fun.

But my favourite part? Creating custom art that tells your story.

Whether it’s a celebration of a milestone birthday, a surprise anniversary gift, or simply a moment you want to remember forever I take the memories that matter and turn them into something bold, beautiful, and full of heart.

Why I Create Art That Speaks

My style isn’t just about aesthetic it’s about energy.

I combine vibrant colours, street-art-inspired textures, designer references, and handwritten quotes to bring art that uplifts your home and your soul. Each canvas has layers of meaning (and usually a little cheekiness), from fashion icons to subtle tributes to people’s loved ones, travels, or dreams.

Some of my favourite commissions have included:

  • A couple’s wedding venue captured in abstract lines and sunset tones
  • A pop-art portrait of a woman’s inner strength, featuring her favourite brands and mantras
  • A nod to a husband’s proposal hidden inside a stack of designer books

This isn’t just wall art it’s a personal legacy in colour.

Where to Next

✨ Want to see some of my latest custom artworks? I'm working on a gallery page, but for now Instagram is the easiest to see past works completed.

🖼 Thinking about commissioning a piece? Send me a message and we can chat more!

📬 Or, stay in the loop sign up to my newsletter for sneak peeks, first dibs, and studio stories.

Thanks for being here. Truly. I’m so glad we found each other.


Michelle x

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