Gagliano received her BA from Plymouth State University with a major in painting and a minor in art history. Almost two decades later, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from American University in Washington, D.C.
For the last ten years, Gagliano has practiced from her studio in central Virginia. Surrounding farmland echoes the farm of her childhood, with the four seasons of Virginia showcasing the transient quality of nature that drives Gagliano’s continuous experimentation and dedication to her art.
In the summer of 2018, Gagliano eliminated all toxic materials from her practice, introducing instead ground pigments, oils and solvents based in nuts and lavender, and handmade gessoes. When asked about her decision to paint with environmentally-friendly and sustainable materials only, the artist acknowledges both the Masters and an understanding that polluting the world does not go hand-in-hand
with the beauty of the world that she has dedicated her life’s work to capturing. Michelle Gagliano is now an active member of the GCC Gallery Climate Coalition.
Her works continue to be curated into major private and corporate collections, both within the United States and abroad.