BIOGRAPHY - THE "PROFESSIONAL" VERSION
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Born in 1969, Australian alchemist artist and author, Ravynne Michele Phelan, a.k.a. Michele-lee Phelan, came to her artistic career in her early thirties after being diagnosed with depression for which she was prescribed art and writing as a means of therapy and healing. This unusual prescription rekindled a lifelong childhood dream of becoming an artist.
Dedicated to her craft, for more than two decades, Ravynne (pronounced Raven) has painted on an almost daily basis. Thousands of hours and hundreds of paintings later, many for publishers, self-published authors, and private commissions, she now illustrates her own projects and creates divinatory tools for the purpose of helping others increase self-knowledge, be creative, expressive, and reach their potential. She has developed a unique and recognisable style, and creates illustrations that are magical, powerful, and evocative; works of art that open the mind and touch the hearts of many. Her original paintings and prints hang on the walls of countless homes, in many different countries, all over the globe.
During this time, Ravynne has learned that she is AuDHD and now writes from a neurodivergent perspective. She has authored and illustrated the Dreams of Gaia Tarot,
​Messenger Oracle, Seeker Oracle, and her first deck to fully embrace a neurodivergent perspective, Dracones Loqui. She is also the illustrator of Mythic Oracle of the Ancient Greek Pantheon, written by Carisa Mellado, and is one of several artists who contributed illustrations for Oracle of the Dragonfae by Lucy Cavendish.
BIOGRAPHY - THE "PERSONAL" VERSION
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Who is Ravynne? If you have read the words above, you will have been given a glimpse, but only a glimpse. I offer the following words to give further insight.
I am me.
If I were to write an ‘About the Author’ chapter, I would love to offer those three words and leave it at that. However, I am not sure if my sense of humour would be appreciated or understood by everyone. I baulk at writing more because, all too often, I find myself looking back at old biographies and ‘about me’ chapters, and I feel disconnected, as if I am reading the words of a stranger. They are a reflection of the person I was at the time I wrote the words. In the present, they are no longer an accurate reflection of who I am.
I look back at my beliefs, my thoughts, and my feelings and realise how much I have changed. My art has changed. How I paint has changed. Even the language I use when I write has changed. Over the years, I have noticed that my beliefs and writing have become less rigid and dogmatic, and more flowing and expansive. Revealing to me the thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that were influencing me at the time.
I am always honest, but in offering honesty, I admit that sometimes even the truths I once held dear are no longer my truth or my reality.
I am ever evolving and changing. Like a tree changes from one season to the next, my branches have lengthened, and new, smaller branches have formed where others have withered and fallen away. My trunk is a little thicker (too thick for my liking), and my roots have buried themselves even deeper into the earth.
I am changed. I am no longer the person I was. That person has been undone. She is no longer. My words and my paintings are but an echo of what was.
The words I write now are a reflection of the person I am in the present, and I write them knowing that I will have grown and become someone different by the time you read these words.
That is why, when I sit down to write, I now do my best to keep my personal spiritual beliefs out of the mix as much as possible. My beliefs change. To bind my creations, both art and words, to beliefs I hold prevents them from evolving. I have no real philosophy or message other than to seek, feel, grow, and heal. It is my mantra. It is how I live my life.
These days, I have no desire to influence others in any other manner except to help people open their minds and explore the realms they find within. I am not here to tell you how to live, or how or what you should believe. I am a toolmaker. My purpose is to create tools that enable you to best determine how you live and what you believe, all by yourself.
The time I spent working on the tarot changed me. It made me a stronger, happier, kinder, and more peaceful person. It has helped me to love and understand myself a little more than I did. It has unmade me and recreated me. It has helped me peel away the layers and arrive at a place and moment when I can answer the question, “Who is Ravynne?”
The only answer that comes is ...I am me. I am creative. I am fulfilled. I am at peace.
In this moment, I am who I am meant to be, and I would not make a single choice differently. 💛
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How old are you?
I was born in 1969.
How long have you been a professional artist?
More than two decades.
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What level of training have you attained?
I am very honest about the fact that I have had no formal training except at the school of 'Life' and thousands of hours spent painting. Everything I have learned over the last eleven years, when I began to walk a creative path, and during the last nine years since I began to paint again, has come from reading countless books on technique, from the dissection and scrutiny of other artists' work, and finally, by painting and experimenting daily. Practice is the key to improvement and refinement, and I, being a perfectionist, hone my skills with a devout dedication. Over the last decade, I have painted over five hundred artworks; those paintings have been my training ground.
What media do you work with?
I am proficient with a number of media - digital, acrylics, watercolours, coloured pencil, pen and ink.
Why do you paint fantasy?
I don't paint fantasy. I paint the spirit realms and alternate realities. I once used the word fantasy to label and categorise what I paint to make it acceptable to mainstream audiences, but now I choose not to cater to the mainstream. I paint what comes to me in visions and in dreams. Our perception and understanding of the world and the universe are limited. We cannot say that something is fantasy or imaginary simply because it does not exist within our physical plane or beyond our scope of understanding. What I paint is what the majority do not see. I peer into the Void where they wait and bring them to life within the hearts and minds of others. This, I believe, is a very important key to healthy emotional and psychological development. To take the intangible and make it real is to create, and to create is why we exist. For me personally, it is my reason for being.
What is your religion?
I do not ascribe to or follow any religion. I am not 'New Age' nor am I 'Pagan'. I am no 'Lightworker', nor 'Shaman', although I do sometimes embrace the label of Lightworker to annoy and provoke those who have little respect or understanding of what it means to embrace Light and share light with others. I have had those same others tell me what I am for a very long time, but I am simply me, and happy to remain undefined and therefore free to be whatever I choose to be from one moment to the next. I am spiritual, and my faith is ever-evolving just as I am.
What is your marital status?
I am separated and happily single. I am devoutly committed to my creative endeavours. They leave no time for thoughts about romantic relationships. *grins* After almost 25 years in a relationship, I have been given a taste of freedom, and I am not willing to give it up for anyone.
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Why an artist?
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Because it is the only thing I ever really wanted to be. I paint because I must. As a child, when I was not dreaming of wandering distant shores, I was painting pictures in my mind, in my books and on my walls. All available pieces of paper were covered in drawings. Drawing and painting have always been second nature. The only other passion I had as a child was reading, and if the book had beautiful illustrations, then I was doubly blessed.
During my teen years, I allowed the harsh words of others to influence me. I believed I had no potential, simply because my skill at that time was not equal to my desire, so my pens and papers were put away in the drawer. My dreams of becoming an artist were forgotten. I moved out into the '9 to 5' world and took on several different roles - secretary, accounts clerk, personal assistant, receptionist. I even studied hairdressing for several years.
I was not happy. In fact, I became very ill. The lack of creative outlet worsened my mental health, and it was only when I was reintroduced to art and writing as a form of therapeutic release that I began to understand one of the main causes for my illness. I had denied the creative essence of me. It had been my very neurodivergent "special interest" since childhood, and I had allowed others to take it from me.
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What are your future goals?
I have been painting professionally since mid 2002. During this time, my style has evolved and changed in many ways. With every new artwork, I grow in confidence, and with the growing confidence, I come to see that my potential is limitless. The future is unwritten ... a mystery ... for now, here in the present, my only goal is to continue on the path that I walk, to paint and create and see where that takes me. I will say, however, that I have more oracle decks in my future. How many? I do not know.
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​Do you have any pets?
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I have my beloved familiar and littlest cat, Arashi, and Bloop, my goldfish.
What are your hobbies?
I play MTG - Commander with friends. I also garden, collect crystals, and take photos of birds and bugs.
Do you have any regrets?
Yes, I do. I have regrets. I would have liked to have been able to journey through this life and not have hurt others. But I have.
cannot change the past, and I would not change it because everything I have experienced has been fundamental to my becoming the more confident, happy, and creative person I am in the present. But I am aware and understand myself and my actions. In knowing myself, I now recognise just how deeply I have hurt others. From that regret and awareness comes empathy and compassion, and in turn, the me who lives in the present chooses to be a little more compassionate and understanding. I strive to be kind.
KIND WORDS FROM OTHERS
"I have had the good fortune to have known Ravynne Phelan for approximately four years. Ravynne is a person of great integrity, and ethics in her profession. She is very dedicated as a writer and artist. The quality of her work is second to none. All her paintings display incredible detail and skill, undertaking meticulous research for all her projects. I cannot recommend or praise her highly enough."
Trudie Ann Moore - Owner-Operator of Soul Surgery shamanic healing, Australia
"I wish to praise Ravynne Phelan's artwork and her ability to transport one to another dimension in time. I am the proud owner of an original artwork and I must say I am still transfixed by it every time I enter the room where it proudly hangs. I felt an instant connection and bond to the painting on a very deep level and still do to this day. Ravynne has a unique ability to channel and tap into a most magical realm where many of us have only had glimpses of in dreams. I love her as a person, an artist, a communicator, and friend."
Karen Wheeler, Australia
"I bought the Dragonfae deck at the Mind Body Spirit, where Ravynne had her stall. I was immediately drawn to the beauty and the energy of the deck and, to date, this deck and the energy of Ravynne's artwork throughout the deck has become a favourite with my clients (and myself as well!) I cannot recommend Ravynne enough. She is amazing, talented and one of the wisest people I have had the pleasure to meet."
Rharnia MacLir, Australia
"I discovered Ravynne Phelan's beautiful artwork when a good friend suggested I check out a sale Ravynne was having on Facebook. Couldn't hurt, I thought. Three paintings later, not only are the images beautiful, the fine detail when they arrived really impressed me. Much better than their scanned images. What I found amazing was that the paintings themselves were energetic and as they were displayed on the net most people reacted to the energy of the paintings. So step into the world of Ravynne Phelan's art and you step into a world of portals etc. Ravynne has an astounding gift."
Karen Williams, Australia
"Your paintings inspire me. They are full of symbology and power ... Every time I look at them they bring me to my center and they keep inspiring me to create my art too. Thanks so much for sharing your sacred gift with all of us .. "
Karen Pizarro, Lunaozi, Australia
"Well, what can I say? I'm a great admirer of Ravynne's work and this admiration has grown with every purchase. The images and colours on the web-pages are good, but they do not do justice to the remarkable quality and intricate detail of the originals which now adorn my walls. Ravynne's service is friendly, and, speaking as an international buyer, I have found it very efficient. After all, it's refreshing to do business with someone who is both personally involved with and proud of the quality of their products."
J. Amos, United Kingdom
"I have much respect for Ravynne as a true magical artist who's work embodies a spirituality that speaks to all in it's many songs. As a Witch and artist myself, I admire the dedication and honesty toward her Craft. I own many wonderful prints and the original of Hermes (from Mythic Oracle) lovingly graces my studio."
Cheralyn Darcey, Australia
"Ravynne's work captures spirituality in a unique and beautiful way. One can feel the energies she pours into each creation - and the result is not only meaningful, but also stunning to look at. The amount of detail is astonishing - the different mediums used - definitely an experience, rather than just art."
Jo Robinson, Australia
"I discovered the rare treasure that is Dreams of Gaia by Ravynne Phelan at an MBS Festival a few year's ago, and every year I find absolutely awe-inspiring paintings and prints to add to my walls. The magnificent colours and characters that emanate from each painting is truly unique. Every painting offers a different message for everyone whose eyes fall on them."
Dana Saidi, Australia
