Australian artist and book illustrator Michelle Pike, brings to us a unique and wonderful recipe of Australian colour, culture, bad habits and humour.

Originating from Western Australia, Michelle attributes her understanding of the Australian landscape and its’ vivid colours, to her many childhood trips into the outback.

"You tend to develop a keen sense of awareness of what is around you when you’re riding in a cloud of red dust in the back of the ute for hours on end with nothing more than the dog, smelly fishing gear and your annoying sister… it takes your mind off the windburn too."

Described as having “a bizarre mix of practical skills, creative hunger and heaps of energy” Michelle’s self-confessed thirst for life and everything that makes her laugh have enabled her to achieve a great deal.

Michelle believes that humour is an understated element of cultural expression.  As such, in true anthropomorphic style, she captures the Australian sense of humour perfectly through the whimsical integration of Australian fauna and flora into her works.