Meet Michelle - Artist, Director, CFO, Wife & Mother
Michelle Lawson is an internationally awarded contemporary artist based in the Greater Newcastle region of Australia. After three decades in senior finance and executive leadership roles, Michelle embraced painting in 2021 as a creative outlet during a time of family health challenges. Her bold abstract works and layered acrylic compositions have since received international acclaim, including over a dozen global art awards and three artworks featured on Times Square billboards in New York.
In 2025, Michelle returned to full-time work as Chief Financial Officer for the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. She now balances her executive career and board responsibilities with her art practice, which continues to provide a deeply personal source of relaxation, reflection, and creative expression. Her unique ability to merge analytical discipline with artistic freedom is evident in both her leadership and her work on canvas.
When not painting or running multi-million-dollar businesses, Michelle loves to spend time with family, friends and her pet cavoodles (aka her other children) Benny & Mylah. Michelle loves to read, travel and cook up a storm!
Michelle with her husband and son: Col & Ryan.
Michelle with Benny and Mylah!
Michelle at Age 4 enjoying being Creative!
Michelle with her mother and uncle: Helen and Charlie.
“My vision is to maintain a joyful and balanced lifestyle that includes being artistic, where my work is emotive and valued by many. I wish to establish meaningful connections with fellow artists, collectors, local organisations, and galleries, which includes being known for my passion, integrity and excellent customer service.”
Michelle’s Year 10 Final Art Project
“Retired for the Evening” 1987
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
— Pablo Picasso
