Who Is Michelle Vella? Inside the Life, Art Career, and Marriage to Joey Lawrence

Jimmy Hopkins March 3, 2026

0 27 6 minutes read

Michelle Vella is a Canadian contemporary pop artist best known for her bold, vibrant portraits and signature Big Eye style. While many first heard her name through her marriage to actor Joey Lawrence, Michelle Vella has built a powerful identity of her own in the art world. Her inspiring career pivot at age 50 transformed her from a business owner into a full time fine artist whose nostalgic celebrity portraits now attract global attention.

Quick Bio

Full Name	Michelle A. Vella
Known For	Contemporary Pop Artist, Big Eye Style
Nationality	Canadian
Birthplace	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Education	Degree in Fine Arts
Former Spouse	Joey Lawrence
Marriage Years	2002 to 2005
Signature Style	#WIDEBIGEYES
Breakthrough Year	2015
Based In	Toronto, Canada
Former Business	RealSTUDIO Graphic Design

Early Life and Education in Toronto

Michelle Vella was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up in a creative environment, she developed an early interest in art, fashion, and visual storytelling. Her passion for drawing and design led her to pursue formal training in Fine Arts. This academic foundation gave her strong technical skills and a deep understanding of color, composition, and artistic expression.

Toronto’s diverse and culturally rich atmosphere also played a role in shaping her creative vision. From an early age, she was drawn to bold imagery and iconic figures, themes that would later become central to her work. Although she would eventually become known for pop portraits, her early training provided a classical base that supported her later experimentation.

Michelle Vella’s Early Career and Graphic Design Business

Before becoming a full time fine artist, Michelle Vella built a long and varied professional career. Over the years, she worked in multiple fields including gallery assistance, marketing, publishing, and even sales roles. These experiences gave her insight into both the creative and business sides of the industry.

Eventually, she founded a graphic design company called RealSTUDIO. For approximately a decade, she ran this business successfully, working with clients and developing branding and visual design solutions. Her background in graphic design strengthened her sense of layout, color balance, and visual identity. However, despite professional stability, she felt creatively unfulfilled.

This period of her life reflects her entrepreneurial mindset. Rather than relying solely on artistic pursuits, she built practical experience that would later help her manage her own brand as a fine artist.

Career Pivot at 50 and Move Into Fine Art

One of the most defining moments in Michelle Vella’s story came when she made a bold decision at age 50. In 2014, she closed her graphic design business to pursue painting full time. This career pivot marked the beginning of what she often describes as her second act.

Starting over at midlife required courage and confidence. She began sharing her artwork on Instagram, using social media as a platform to connect directly with audiences. Her colorful portraits quickly gained attention. What started as personal creative exploration soon turned into a growing online following.

Her decision to reinvent herself later in life has become one of the most inspiring aspects of her biography. It demonstrates that creative success does not have an expiration date.

Michelle Vella’s Breakthrough With Diane von Furstenberg

Michelle Vella’s breakthrough moment arrived in 2015. Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg discovered one of Vella’s portraits on Instagram. The painting was a stylized image of the designer herself, featuring Vella’s now recognizable oversized expressive eyes.

Diane von Furstenberg purchased the artwork and invited Michelle to New York. The portrait became part of the DVF art collection. This high profile endorsement introduced Vella’s work to a broader international audience and validated her artistic direction.

The discovery marked a turning point. From that moment forward, Michelle Vella transitioned from emerging artist to recognized contemporary pop portrait painter.

Michelle Vella’s Signature Big Eye Art Style

Michelle Vella is widely recognized for her #WIDEBIGEYES style. Her portraits feature oversized, expressive eyes paired with bold color palettes and smooth, polished finishes. The eyes are the emotional center of each piece, designed to create a strong connection between the subject and the viewer.

Her work blends pop art influences with nostalgia. Rather than creating realistic copies, she reimagines cultural icons in a joyful and vibrant way. The exaggerated eyes are not meant to distort, but to amplify emotion. Through this stylistic choice, she invites viewers to rediscover familiar figures with fresh perspective.

The overall mood of her work is uplifting and energetic. Bright backgrounds and dynamic compositions enhance the emotional tone of each portrait.

Michelle Vella’s Famous Portraits of Cultural Icons

Michelle Vella’s portfolio includes reimagined portraits of iconic figures across film, music, and fashion. She has painted subjects such as Audrey Hepburn, Elton John, Marilyn Monroe, and David Bowie.

She has also portrayed art legend Andy Warhol and fashion icon Iris Apfel. By selecting figures associated with strong cultural memory, she taps into nostalgia while offering a modern visual twist.

These works helped define her identity as a contemporary pop portrait artist.

High Profile Commissions and Media Recognition

Michelle Vella’s growing reputation led to several high profile commissions. She was commissioned by W Magazine to paint portraits of editorial figures including Edward Enninful. She has also created live portrait paintings of celebrities such as Emily Ratajkowski.

These collaborations expanded her exposure beyond social media audiences and into established fashion and art circles. Media coverage and gallery features further reinforced her professional standing.

Michelle Vella’s Gallery Exhibitions and Art Fairs

Michelle Vella’s artwork has been displayed in respected galleries and international art fairs. Her exhibitions have included showings at Arta Gallery and Desert Valley Gallery. She has also participated in prominent fairs such as Aqua Art Miami.

These exhibitions introduced her work to collectors and expanded her professional network within the art world.

Expanding the Michelle Vella Art Brand

Beyond original canvases, Michelle Vella has expanded her brand into prints and lifestyle collections. She offers limited edition giclee prints and HD metal prints, allowing a broader audience to access her artwork. Her brand has also grown into fashion and home décor capsule collections.

This expansion reflects her graphic design background and business experience. She understands how to build a cohesive visual identity that extends beyond a single medium.

Michelle Vella’s Marriage to Joey Lawrence

Michelle Vella was married to American actor and singer Joey Lawrence. The couple married in August 2002. During their marriage, they attended public events together, including film premieres such as The Matrix Revolutions.

Their marriage lasted approximately three years. The divorce was finalized in 2005. Michelle Vella has generally maintained a private stance regarding her personal relationships, focusing instead on her career and creative pursuits.

Life After Divorce and Return to Toronto

After her divorce, Michelle Vella continued developing her professional life. She spent time living in Vancouver before returning to Toronto in 2010. Back in her hometown, she established her studio and focused fully on her artistic reinvention.

Toronto remains her base today. She keeps her personal life relatively private, choosing to highlight her art rather than personal matters in public discussions.

Michelle Vella’s Artistic Philosophy

Michelle Vella describes her Big Eye style as a way to create emotional connection. By emphasizing the eyes, she aims to humanize famous figures and allow viewers to feel joy and familiarity. Her work often centers on nostalgia, celebrating icons who shaped fashion, music, and cinema.

Her philosophy is rooted in positivity. She believes art should uplift and inspire. The vibrant colors and expressive details in her paintings reflect this outlook.

Her personal journey of reinvention also influences her message. She often embodies the idea that it is never too late to pursue passion and creative fulfillment.

Michelle Vella Net Worth and Business Growth

Michelle Vella’s income stems from original paintings, commissioned works, print sales, and brand collaborations. As a contemporary artist with international recognition, her earnings reflect both artistic production and brand licensing.

While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, her growing gallery presence, media coverage, and expanded product lines indicate steady professional growth. Her success demonstrates how strategic branding and artistic identity can work together to build a sustainable career.

Michelle Vella’s Life Today

Today, Michelle Vella continues to create vibrant portraits and expand her brand. She remains active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she first gained widespread attention. Her studio in Toronto serves as both a creative space and a business hub.

Michelle Vella’s story stands out for its late career transformation and artistic independence. Though once publicly linked to Joey Lawrence, she has built her own identity as a contemporary pop artist with a recognizable global style.