The Artist

Michelle Decker was born and raised in South Africa. Her natural artistic ability was given direction with classes in fine art and a Diploma in Graphic Design. After working as an Art Director in the Advertising industry for 9 years, Michelle’s passion for wildlife was awakened by the Zambian bush where she spent 6 months working at her parents lodge on the banks of the Lower Zambezi River.

She returned with a heartfelt desire to portray the magnificence of the animals she encountered and lived with in a way that would speak to more than just wildlife enthusiasts. Michelle feels an animal’s beauty lies in the detail, its spirit, in the eyes – the focal point of all her paintings.
Today, she is able to capture the nature and character of the animals she paints with superior detail and softness, giving them soul and presence.

Her correct and honest portrayal of the animals is the result of much time spent in the bush studying and photographing them – the feeling one is left with is the result of her enormous love for them.