Heavily influenced by her creative close-knit family, Michelle spent her early years intoxicated by the imaginary worlds she and her sisters created with Artist father, Richard Ferrera. Michelle’s art, which primarily included journaling and sketching, evolved while studying at MontclairStateUniversity,Montclair,NJ. Not only did she refine her craft, concentrating on Figure Drawing, Michelle was accepted to be an exchange student atMacquarieUniversityinSydney,Australia. During that semester abroad, her journals transformed again; faces quickly sketched, colors and smells jotted down, a feather stuck in replaced the high school whining. During her final semester at MSU, with support from Professor and Illustrator, Scott Gordley, her solo show “journal idea” was accepted. “Organized Mess” was a chance to create her first full installation; combining her journals, sculpture, paintings, drawings and photos inside the gallery’s space as a cardboard box. Taking a risk, she left a notebook out for feedback. This was exactly the motivation she was looking for. After graduating, Michelle spent the next few years as a furniture painter, school and Wedding photographer, Art Instructor and Mural Artist, all giving flexibility in her schedule to travel. Experimenting with different mediums combined with traveling during those years fueled her brain with new ideas.