Michelle ‘Meish’ Claus (she/they) is a Midwest born, queer artist currently living in Charleston, West Virginia. She grew up in the lower peninsula of Michigan where she spent most of her summers playing in the woods. An avid hiker, outdoor adventurer, and forager of plants and mushrooms, she is inspired by the beauty of each season and the colorful patterns of the forest. She recognizes the importance of shape and texture, particularly when identifying trees by their bark in the winter months and locating edible mushrooms. She primarily uses acrylic and watercolor as a medium to translate this connection with nature through her artwork, which features vibrant though often overlooked natural remains and imaginative creatures. You can also find her experimenting with other mediums such as limestone carving and relief printing.