About the Artist

Michela Cortese is a pastel artist who divides her time between Italy and Cornwall, England. She is a lecturer in Screenwriting for Falmouth University and Co-Founder of OutWrd.

Michela’s background in the arts began with her work as a photographer in 2009. During the years, Michela’s passion for photography and cinema has developed into an interest for other fine art practices, specifically oil and soft pastel painting.

The use of rich pigments in the form of soft pastels is now at the centre of Michela’s art. Her landscapes stem from a careful layering of high quality pastels from Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Russia, France, and England. 

Michela’s primary subjects are the English countryside, woodlands and seascapes, specifically from the county of Cornwall. These evocative images are a unique result that is intrinsic in the use of intense darks that allow for the creation of the magic light in each scene. 

Michela’s landscapes are a place where Impressionism meets the Romantic tradition due to the consistent calming, peaceful and nature-inspired aesthetic that makes every painting emotionally resonant.