Michelle Mackie, also known as Dolly, is a self-taught photographer, digital artist and visual story teller. It is with these tools that Michelle has been able to recreate forgotten joys and life’s loves.

Having struggled with dyslexia, instead of reading, pictures always seemed to inspire and ignite her imagination .

What started off as a hobby and an escape of sorts for this busy working mum soon became much more. In 2014 Michelle was asked to exhibit her work in a local gallery. It was this that forged her on to build her skills and passion, which lead to finding her own unique style.

By combining the power of nightmares and the magic of fairytales, Michelle presents her inner-self, her memories, fears and dreams in an art form that can provoke powerful emotions and connect with people in ways she never imagined.

Every piece of art is pre-conceptualised. Only when it is thoroughly planned does the work begin, sourcing materials, locations and photographing models in real time, using all her own photography and meticulously stitching multiple images together. As well as digitally painting and texturising. It is in these later stages that her work takes on a life of its own. Enriched with surreal colour tones and powerful symbolism.

Michelle’s work has been described as ethereal and fairytale-like, that captures your imagination through her masterful storytelling.

Michelle uses her creative streak to find beauty in dark places.

“I’m forever daydreaming, and I get to create some of what goes on in my busy little head for all to see.”