Born in England, and raised in New Zealand, Michelle Dovey finished her first degree in new New Zealand, before travelling to Europe to see the paintings she had studied first hand. She completed her Masters at the School of Visual Arts in New York where she encountered the works of the Abstract Expressionists. These made a deep impression.  Returning to England she lived in London for many years. She has shown with Gimpel Fils since 2006.  Her work was included in the group show Under the Greenwood Picturing British Trees at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery (2013).  Following this show the exhibiting artists formed themselves into the Arborealists group, with many exhibitions following including the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol (2014).  In 2010 she moved to Pembrokeshire, and now lives in St Davids. She continues to find inspiration in painting trees, particularly oaks. In February 2020 she was Artist in Residence at Oriel Y Parc, St Davids, Pembrokeshire.