About the artist

Michelene Berkey was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1950. She began drawing on her own at the age of 2. "As a child I had a series pf Degas ballet prints in my bed room. I always loved the softness of the light and I thought I might become a painter." Starting as early as elementary school, Michelene knew she wanted to be an artist, though she was not sure what kind. She started selling beaded jewelry, paper flowers and macrame in junior high school.

Today, Michelene lives with her husband in Evergreen, CO, where she taught drawing and painting to 4-8 year olds. Michelene creates unique jewelry, using sterling silver combined with 14K and 18K gold, gemstones and pearls. She also enjoys botanical illustration.

She studied surface embellishment with jeweler Harold O'Connor and it changed the way she approached her metalwork. She has progressed from highly polished surfaces to textures of all kinds. Now the possibilities seem endless and she has only begun to scratch the surface. She works on many pieces at once - some sit for months unfinished - until one day she sees just what it needs.

Michelene's goal is to continue exploring textures, working more in series: bolo ties, pins, and cuff bracelets. She is also working on a line of beads carved from wax and cast.

Contact info: Good Hands Gallery
Telephone: (505) 982-3352
www.goodhandsgallery.com

To purchase art or get more information about works by Michelene Berkey and other Shadow Mountain Gallery artists, please come see us at 28186 Hwy 74 (Main Street) in Evergreen, Colorado or contact us by phone 303.670.3488
or by e-mail: Shadowmountaingallery@Hotmail.com