About

Biography

Born in Dunkirk, N.Y., Michael’s first real contact with art came early in life. At age five, his grandmother, whose works hung in the Buffalo, N.Y. museum, would make him sit and watch as she painted. At the age of 13, after her death, he was given all of her equipment and within a week started painting and drawing. From that point on his talent gradually emerged. The standard high school art class is the only formal training that he has ever received and yet the young man won an art scholarship to college.

Instead of college, however, the young artist joined the United States Marine Corps, continuing a tradition started by his father many years before. While overseas, the young Marine was given the opportunity to display his art and made his first real sale as an artist. He had done charity work for Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), was commissioned for various works and had his works presented as mementos to Major Generals on down throughout his 20-year career in the United States Marine Corp. Living in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara, Michael’s love for art has resurfaced. He continues to work full-time for HP while setting aside time each week for painting, drawing, and research for his next piece of art. Although, his wife is usually a step ahead in identifying his next piece of artwork. Michael was accepted and currently pursuing a Masters in Fine Art from the Academy of Art University. What started out as a chore with his grandmother has turned into a labor of love and pleasure for him, his family and friends.

Education

2012 Academy of Art University – Masters of Fine Art Program Exhibitions

Exhibitions

2015 - STROKES OF GENIUS - Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) Circle Gallery, Juried Competition, Annapolis, MD

Honors and Awards

2015 – A Singular Creation (ASC), Featured Artist
2015 - Fine Art America, Featured Artist
2012 - Fine Art America, Featured Artist

Affiliations

Member of The Portrait Institute

Representation

Academy Art and Frame, Colorado Springs, CO
Artazia Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
Fine Art America
Saatchi Art

Publications

2014 Art Journey Portraits and Figures - The Best of Contemporary Drawing in Graphite, Pastel and Colored Pencil book – ISBN13: 9781440336997, page 118-119.
2014 Strokes of Genius 6: Lights and Darks - The Best of Drawing – hardcover book – ISBN13: 9781440330391, page 46-47.

Artist's Statement

Michelangelo said the great danger is not that our hopes are too high and we will fail to reach them; it is that they are too low and we do. Creating art is a passion that I have grown up with and I continue to strive for excellence in my art. I am inspired by the great artists of the past and try to live up to the quality they have established. As I continue my art education, I am always looking for ways to improve, adjust, modify and change. Creating artwork is a forever-evolving path. I enjoy working in oils and bring life to an empty canvas. The saturation of colors and brush strokes that can be created in oils is amazing. I also work graphite and charcoal. Black and white charcoal drawings bring life to art when color may distract.