Visitors to the East Gippsland Winter Festival were treated to an extraordinary display of talent on Friday evening as Paynesville artist Cécile Michel opened her exhibition Still Living at Quest Bairnsdale.
Working almost exclusively in graphite, Michel creates breathtakingly realistic drawings that capture everything from intimate still life studies to deeply expressive portraits.
Looking closely, it’s hard to believe the works are created with nothing more than pencil and graphite powder.
Originally from France, Michel now calls Paynesville home and has spent recent years refining her distinctive technique.
Rather than working on traditional paper, she draws on canvas, blending graphite powder with makeup brushes to create incredibly soft transitions and subtle shadows.
The graphite settles into the texture of the canvas, becoming part of the artwork itself.
Her collection reflects both technical mastery and personal storytelling.
Some works celebrate everyday objects and childhood nostalgia, while others explore the complexity of being human, inviting viewers to pause and connect with emotion through finely observed detail.
Despite the exceptional quality of her work, Michel remains one of East Gippsland’s quieter artistic voices.
Her exhibition offered a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience artwork that would not look out of place in a major metropolitan gallery.
Still Living was on display at Quest Bairnsdale for two days as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, featuring original pencil drawings of still life and portrait subjects.
Those who missed the exhibition opening won’t have to wait long for another opportunity to experience Cecile’s work.
Her next exhibition, In 2 Minds, will be on show at the East Gippsland Art Gallery from September 11 to October 17.
