Born in 1964 and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Michael’s earliest recollection of creating art was at the age of 5 during a summer art camp at the J.B. Speed Museum of Art in Louisville. While he began his professional artistic journey later in life than many contemporary painters, he is living proof that it is never too late to pursue a talent, a dream, or a passion. In 2010, he made the decision to leave his corporate day job and solely focus on his fine art career, a decision many viewed as “gutsy”, however one that was driven by his passion and desire to continue growing as an artist.
Michael has always been drawn to the outdoors and the natural beauty of the landscape. As a young boy, he has vivid memories of riding at the front of his uncle’s boat before sunrise heading out on the lake to fish in a setting of solitude and peacefulness found in the early morning light. The sensory elements of nature are a moving and inspirational experience each and every time he ventures out in search of material for future paintings. The stillness and quietness of the landscape often provide the inspiration for many of his works.
Michael loves the patina and rich history of the south, so much so that he and his family relocated to Seabrook, South Carolina in 2016. The majority of his work is of the southern landscape, however he also enjoys still life and figurative work. As a Kentucky native, Michael has a great appreciation for Kentucky bourbon. His unique Bourbon and Spirits still life series has been an enormous success, with paintings selling out almost immediately upon completion.
He is a contemporary representational painter working in oils. He has a strong belief in drawing and painting from life. He believes painting a variety of subject matter sharpens his skills and ultimately makes him a better painter. In his view, today’s technologies afford painters a multitude of useful tools, however without the experience of working from life, a painter’s work may not develop to its fullest potential or vision. There are attributes of landscape painting that cannot always be painted from life.
Michael describes his work as a pursuit in visual poetry. He is continually striving to move beyond the literal representation of the subject. His goal with each painting is to create a unique piece of fine art that will result in an emotional response from the viewer.
Current Member Associations
- Signature Member National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
- Associate Member Oil Painters of America
- Associate Member American Impressionist Society
- Instructor at the Studio School Savannah, Georgia
- Judge and Juror for selected national/regional art exhibitions
Michael's work can be found in corporate and private collections across the country
