Michaela Yoro (Moffett)
Biography
Michaela is a SoCal based artist specializing in contemporary realism oil painting. She received her BFA in Drawing and Painting from California State University, Fullerton and spent an additional year studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. Since returning to the U.S., Michaela has spent the last 6 years painting, exhibiting and teaching oil painting throughout Orange County.
Michaela is currently represented by Chemers Gallery in Tustin, CA.
Artist’s Statement
My work is an exploration of beauty in the everyday—a quiet celebration of the ordinary through oil paint. Inspired by the character of light, the complexities of color, and the organic elegance of natural forms, I seek to capture the intimate moments that often go unnoticed. Florals, botanicals, fruits, vegetables, landscapes, and familiar corners of my home often serve as my subjects, each infused with a sense of nostalgia and comfort.
Most of my paintings emerge from personal spaces—my home or homes I frequent—where light and shadow transform the mundane into something poetic. Through my work, I aim to evoke a sense of warmth and belonging, inviting viewers to find beauty in their own surroundings. By focusing on the quiet, fleeting details of daily life, my paintings become a reflection of home, memory, and the gentle passage of time.
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Summer 2025: Festival of Arts, Laguna CA.
Selected Past Solo Exhibitions:
Aug 2024 - Tustin Senior Center Gallery “Moments and Memories”, Tustin, CA. Solo Show
Mar 2021 - Pilgrims Coffeehouse “The Art of Michaela Moffett”, Fullerton, CA. Solo Show
Selected Past Group Exhibitions:
May 2025 - Chemers Gallery “Figure This”, Tustin, CA.
Apr 2025 - FOA South Gallery “Fresh Faces”, Laguna, CA.
Oct 2024 - Tustin Plein Air Contest, Tustin, CA. Second Place Award.
Apr 2024 - Chemers Gallery “The heART of Orange County”, Tustin, CA. Honorable Mention Award.
Oct 2023 - Tustin Plein Air Contest, Tustin, CA. Honorable Mention Award.
Sep 2023 - Fullerton Museum Center “What Feels Like Home” Fullerton, CA.
Aug 2023 - Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center “Emerging Artist’s Art Show” Anaheim, CA.
Jan 2023 - Las Lagunas Art Gallery “Botanical Art” Laguna, CA.
Oct 2022 - Figure Ground Gallery “Visions of the Landscape” Seattle, WA.
Aug 2022 - Blick Art Materials “2022 Show” Fullerton, CA.
Mar 2022 - The ROOM Contemporary Art Space “Canvas Venice International Art Fair 2022” Venice, Italy.
Dec 2021 - Art Show International Gallery “Landscape” Online exhibition. Talent Prize Award.
Sep 2021 - The Huntington Beach Art Center “Scapes and Scope” Huntington Beach, CA.
Aug 2021 - Art Show International Gallery “Landscape” Online exhibition. Honorable Mention award.
Jul 2021 - Portrait Society of America “A View of Self” Online exhibition.
Jul 2021 - The Vacant Museum “Familiar Strangers” Online exhibition.
Dec 2020 - Blick Art Materials “Perspective” Fullerton, CA.
Sep 2020 - Fullerton Museum Center “FMC and ME” Fullerton, CA.
Mar 2020 - Placentia Civic Center “Old Town Art Show” Placentia, CA.
Feb 2020 - The Nest Cafe/Gallery “Toys” Bellflower, CA.
Jan 2020 - The Nest Cafe/Gallery “Sneakers” Bellflower, CA.
Nov 2018 - California State University, Fullerton “President’s Gallery Show” Fullerton, CA.
Oct 2018 - Magoski Arts Colony “Art for Peacemaking” Fullerton, CA.
Jul 2017 - Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy.
Apr 2017 - California State University, Florence “Arte per Arte” Florence, Italy.
Press:
May 2025 - Stu News Laguna “Fresh Faces: Current exhibition offers a preview of some first-time artists selected for 2025’s Festival of Arts https://stunewslaguna.com/fresh-faces-2025-featuring-artwork-from-050225-2/
Feb 2024 - Bold Journey Magazine Interview “Meet Michaela Yoro”. https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-michaela-yoro/
Jun 2023 - Canvas Rebel Magazine Interview “Meet Michaela Yoro”. https://canvasrebel.com/meet-michaela-yoro/
Dec 2021 - Featured Artist: Michaela Moffett. Art Food Home by Barbara Stroud. “Featured Artist: Michaela Moffett”. https://artfoodhome.com/2021/12/13/featured-artist-michaela-moffett/#more-53369
Oct 2021 - SD Voyager Interview “Conversations with Michaela Moffett”. http://sdvoyager.com/interview/conversations-with-michaela-moffett/
Sep 2021 - NYC Journal “Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs to look out for in 2021” https://thenycjournal.com/top-30-female-entrepreneurs-to-look-out-for-in-2021/
Aug 2021 - Voyage LA Magazine Interview “Rising Stars: Meet Michaela Moffett”. Voyage LA http://voyagela.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-michaela-moffett/
Feb 2021 - Shoutout SoCal Magazine Interview “Meet Michaela Moffett - Painter and Instructor”. https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-michaela-moffett-painter-instructor/
Media:
Jul 2023 - Reptile Royalty TV Show, Season 1 Episode 5 “Lights! Camera! Reptiles!” Roku. https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/e2327d01261fb6e264099804782b1024/reptile-royalty-s1-e5-lights-cameras-reptiles
Education:
2013 - 2019 | California State University, Fullerton | BFA Drawing and Painting | Summa Cum Laude
2016 - 2017 | Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence, Italy
2002 - 2013 | The Art House