About
The artist and her approach
I often wondered whether the Elements could speak. Do they speak through music? Through the gentle rustling of wind in the leaves? The distant rumble of thunder? The hurried drumming of a sudden shower? For a long time, I searched and observed.
Then, through my particular sensitivity as a painter, I began to interpret their language with my colours and distinctive lines of force, using the rhythms of light and its speed.
Playing with shadow and sunlight, making water shimmer, scattering flecks of light across fabrics, capturing the personality of a face—all subjects can find their way onto the canvas. But when the Elements express themselves there, perhaps through pareidolia, one must capture the essence of their message and convey it through often daring compositions and a pictorial language inspired by roots and currents.
Let the journey begin!
These paintings are stories waiting to be told: A moment to pause, A freeze-frame in time, A dreamlike journey that brings the frantic pace of our lives to a halt.
Let us slow down and discover the pleasure of colour in a singular world that has been taking shape through my palette for several decades.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Up until 2000, the painter's signature was Michelle Quessada. Since the, it is Michelle Vial
EXHIBITIONS AND COMPETITIONS AS A PAINTER IN PARIS
Solo Exhibitions
2011: Exhibition at the Grande Loge de France, PARIS
2011: 10th Masonic Book Fair, PARIS
2008: EXHIBITION AT THE PALAIS DE LA CULTURE DE PUTEAUX, PUTEAUX
2008: Auction at DROUOT, PARIS
2006: Galerie Miromesnil, PARIS
2004: Galerie Artitude, PARIS
2004: Galerie Orsel, PARIS
Group Exhibitions
2015–2017: SMDA exhibitions, AVIGNON and PARIS
2012–2014: Exhibition at the Town Hall of the 12th arrondissement, PARIS
2013–2014: Exhibition at the Kermesse de Puteaux
2013: Les Hivernales exhibition, MONTREUIL
2009: SALON DES INDÉPENDANTS (GRAND PALAIS), PARIS
2005: 16th Arrondissement Painting Exhibition, PARIS
2005: Marché de la Création, BASTILLE, PARIS
EXHIBITIONS AND COMPETITIONS AS A PAINTER IN PROVENCE
Solo Exhibitions
2000: Exhibition at the Fondation du Château de LOURMARIN
1999: Exhibition at the Conseil Général, AIX-EN-PROVENCE
1998: Exhibition at Galerie “La Bergerie”, CARRY-LE-ROUET
1997: Exhibition at the Tourist Office, SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE
1997: Exhibition at the Château de l’Empéri, SALON-DE-PROVENCE (Guard Room)
1996: Exhibition at the Tourist Office, LAMBESC
1995: Exhibition in support of the French League Against Cancer, SALON-DE-PROVENCE
1995: Exhibition at the Officers’ Club, AIX-EN-PROVENCE. Donation of the mixed-media work Chagrin d’enfant
1992: Exhibition at ACAPS Gallery “La Cathédrale”, MARSEILLE
1992: Exhibition in CASSIS
1991: NOSTRADAMUS painting — postcards, clocks and watches. Postcards sold for several years at the Musée Nostradamus
Group Exhibitions
2025: "Art in the Street" Event, SANARY-SUR-MER
2024: Robert de Lamanon Hall, SALON DE PROVENCE
1997–2000: Route des Peintres exhibition, SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE
2000: “Les Peintres à Cabassole” exhibition, CAVAILLON
2000: “Le Temps retrouvé” exhibition, MAUSSANE
1999: Sponsorship of the “Paul Cézanne” studio exhibition, SAINT-MARTIN-DE-CRAU
1999: Exhibition at the 3rd Painting and Sculpture Fair, ARTEXPO, AIX-EN-PROVENCE
1993: Exhibition in NEW YORK — World Trade Center
1993: Exhibition at the Tourist Office, SALON-DE-PROVENCE
1993: Exhibition at MONDIAL ART SALON, AVIGNON 93
1993: Saint Vincent de Paul charity auction at the Pharo, MARSEILLE
1992: “Les Amis des Arts” exhibition, Cours Mirabeau, AIX-EN-PROVENCE
COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS
1994: Finalist in the French Post Office competition to design the postal cancellation mark for the Historical Re-enactment of SALON-DE-PROVENCE. Watercolour cards and envelopes dated 02/07/94
1990: “Rêve de Paix” competition, SALON-DE-PROVENCE
1987: Painting Award, MARIGNANE
1986: Painting Award, MARIGNANE
PUBLICATIONS — REGIONAL PRESS ARTICLES
2014: La Transhumance, SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE: 30 Years of Posters
2001: Poster for the Transhumance of SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE, Tourist Office
01/01/2000: Cover of La Provence Libérée
1999: Publication in the Plein Feux commemorative book — 2,600 Years of MARSEILLE
1998: Featured in two publications issued by the Tourist Office of SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE: Patrimoine — Route des Peintres, page 35, and the Guide Pratique, page 12
11/97: Article about the exhibition at the Château de l’Empéri, SALON-DE-PROVENCE
01/97: Article about the exhibition at the Tourist Office, SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE
12/96: Article about the exhibition at the Tourist Office, LAMBESC
04/95: Two articles published in Univers des Arts, pages 15 and 21
04/95: Article by ALAUZEN DI GENOVA, author of La merveilleuse Provence des peintres
09/93: Article in Peintres en fêtes: “Michelle Quessada ou l’art et la matière”
04/93: Mondial Art Avignon 93 catalogue, page 182
03/93: Featured in La Côte des Arts — World Trade Center
03/93: World Trade Center catalogue, page 29: Les Clowns
1992: Television feature on Nostradamus (Mystères programme), featuring my Nostradamus painting