Michelle Gallagher lives and works in Portland, Oregon.

My career as a sculptor spans over 30 years and has involved multiple creative industries. My original interest in working with clay developed in high school, but was side-tracked by a twenty year foray into stagecraft and prop building where I often used clay as a tool. This experience further developed my sculpting skills and interest in working with clay. By 1999 my focus was centered primarily on ceramics and my studio evolved to include clay tools and materials.

Figures are constructed using ancient hand-building techniques, and decorated with texture from various tools. Stoneware is preferred because it can be fired to a temperature that makes it durable to outside elements.

My work can be found in galleries throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the country, as well as at annual exhibitions with local organizations and online. Images of my work can be found in Lark Books 2006 & 2009 editions of their “500” series.