Michelle Bolinger received her MFA from the University of Washington in 2005, and her BFA from Indiana University in 2003. She has had solo shows at Francine Seders Gallery in Seattle, WA as well as Roman Susan Gallery, The Presidents Gallery and DIG all located in Chicago, IL.

Recent group exhibitions include Soak. Stroke. Scratchat Melanee Cooper Gallery, Chicago, and New American Paintings: Midwest Editionat the Elmhurst Art Museum. She has taught at Northwestern University, Loyola University, Lake Forest College and Harold Washington College. In 2012 she was a Visiting Professor & Artist in Residence at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has been awarded multiple grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Chicago Artists Assistance Program.

The books mentioned in the interview are Becoming, by Michelle Obama and The Gruffalo.

Light Tuck, 2018, Oil on canvas, 17"x14"

Crescents, 2018, Oil and graphite on board, 15"x14"