Michelle Nettleton was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Thirty-four years later, she moved to Burlington, Ontario where she now resides with her husband Peter and dog Padi. At the University of Windsor she studied Fine Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, she graduated from Redeemer University with a Bachelor of Education.

Her career as an artist and a teacher has allowed her to walk down many paths. Michelle, as an educator, worked as an art instructor for the Artist Gallery, Burlington Art Center, Halton District School Board and Meadow Green Academy. For many years, as a private enterprise, she taught cartooning to both children and adults. As a commercial artist, she wrote and illustrated for 2 newspapers as well as a magazine entitled Story Friends. JOY, written and illustrated by Michelle, is her first self-published book. She also illustrated a children’s book, called The Stone by Diane Slagter. Nettleton has painted with oils and acrylic, but her passion is for watercolours. Recently, two of her watercolours sold at auction in the 2022 Dundas Valley School of Art Auction. Her commission paintings have found homes in Canada, the United States, Mexico and several other countries.