About Michelle

Artist Statement

Michelle Hou is an abstract painter whose work captures the weight of a single moment—its energy, its residue, its fleeting presence. Rather than depicting the visible world, her practice gives form to the intangible: emotion, memory, and the transient nature of being. Through abstraction, she explores how a moment feels—its texture, its gravity, its emotional undercurrent.

For Hou, painting is both expression and healing. The act of creating allows her to process complex emotions, reconnect with herself, and give shape to what might otherwise remain unspoken. Each work seeks not resolution, but understanding—a space where emotional vulnerability can be welcomed and transformed.

Guided by a philosophy of emotional honesty, Hou enters the studio without pretense, bringing her full, unfiltered self into the process. She believes that even the most difficult emotions hold intrinsic beauty, and that painting can serve as a vessel for personal and shared healing.

Her process is deeply physical and immersive. Working in close proximity to the canvas, she hovers over the surface, cultivating intimacy and presence. Using substantial tools—trowels, squeegees, spatulas, and large palette knives—she grounds herself in the moment. Their weight and resistance forge a visceral connection between her inner state and the evolving surface.

Layered, gestural, and intuitive, Hou’s paintings create contemplative spaces that invite viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with their own emotional landscapes. In this way, her work extends beyond the personal, offering a shared space for resonance, recognition, and renewal. Designed to evoke a sense of shared humanity, her art speaks to the quiet emotional echoes we all carry—reminding us that in those moments of connection, we are never truly alone.