Hey Hey! I'm Michelle

I’m a self-taught mixed media artist, creating bold, color-soaked art for people—just like you—who know life’s too short for beige walls - or boring gifts.

A Little SUNna Shine: a few bright bits about me.

  • Because reinvention looks good in color.

    I didn’t begin my art career until my late 40s — midlife turned out to be the perfect time to start. What some might call “too late” became my greatest adventure: a chance to create sovereignty, rediscover joy, and live more boldly from the inside out.

    Through my art, I hope to remind others that it’s never too late to reconnect with who they truly are — and to create a life that feels as vibrant and meaningful as they are.

  • Messy, brave, and wide open — curiosity, color, and a little chaos.

    I rarely feel “ready” when stepping into something new — including this midlife leap into art. Most days, I’m painting and sharing while still figuring it all out. But I’ve learned that waiting until you feel ready often means never starting. So I show up anyway — hoping to remind others that it’s okay to begin before you have it all perfectly together.

    My art is my reminder — and my invitation — to start before you’re ready.

  • Michelle Wood by day. Michelle Sunna by ART.

    My “real” last name isn’t Sunna — ☀️Sun-na. Michelle Wood is my everyday self — the one with the lists and to-dos. Michelle Sunna is my artist self — the part that slows down, sees in color, and dares to take up space on a canvas.

    And as you explore my work, I hope it helps you reconnect with the part of yourself that’s ready to be seen.

About Me: The Expanded Version

Life moves fast — and somewhere between the giving, the caring, and the everyday lists, it’s easy to lose touch with who we are. I know that feeling well. For much of my life, I was a caregiver — the one holding space, offering comfort, and making sure everyone else was supported. It was meaningful work, but over time, I realized I had set aside the parts of myself that longed to be expressed.

Painting became my turning point — a way to reconnect with what was real. When I first picked up a brush, I didn’t just find color; I found myself. Art became the doorway back to authenticity — where perfection didn’t matter, and the mess was part of the beauty. Each piece I create is a reflection of that truth: that we come alive when we stop hiding and start creating from the inside out.

Now, my art celebrates that awakening — and invites others to do the same. My fine art focuses on soulful portraits of people and pets, capturing the emotion and essence that photos often can’t. These portraits become keepsakes — stories painted in color, preserving the love and spirit of those we hold dear. They’re more than art; they’re legacy.

That same love for connection and color flows into my surface pattern design work, where I let go, play, and turn small moments into joyful celebrations through everyday pieces like gift wrap, cards, and prints.

Because life isn’t just something to manage — it’s something to celebrate. And if my story resonates, it’s because we’re all learning to come home to ourselves — one imperfect, beautiful step at a time.