About

Growing up in a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Michael was encouraged early on by his mother who while not an artist in traditional media, was always producing creative and imaginative projects that both inspired and motivated Michael to create art of his own.

After high school, Michael attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Soon frustrated by traditional media and the school's emphasis on non-objective art, Michael became enamored with computer animation and two years later, traded his pencil for a mouse and headed west to continue his education at the small, more specialized Cogswell Polytechnical College in Silicon Valley.

In 2001, Michael relocated to Southern California and began private study with a local Southern California artist.

Michael continues to pursue painting and drawing out of his home in Lake Forest, California where he lives with his wife and their 4 cats.

Exhibitions
December 2021 - 6" Squared Show - Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
November 2021 - Old Towne Orange Art Walk - Chapman Crafted, Orange, CA
August 2021 - Old Towne Orange Art Walk - Chapman Crafted, Orange, CA
April 2018 - Spring Art Market - Casa Romantica, San Clemente, CA
April 2017 - Spring Art Market - Casa Romantica, San Clemente, CA
May 2015 - Featured Artist - Dana Point Symphony, Dana Point, CA
October 2012 - 6" Squared Show - Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
October 2010 - 6" Squared Show - Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
June 2010 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
June 2009 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
May 2008 - Oil Painters of America 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition - Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
April 2008 - Salon International - Greenhouse Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
June 2008 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
April 2007 - Salon International - Greenhouse Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
June 2007 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
May 2006 - Oil Painters of America 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition - Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
June 2006 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
June 2005 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
June 2004 - Art-A-Fair Festival - Laguna Beach, CA
Awards
March 2021 - Trekell 30 - Day 24 Winner - "Billie Eilish"
March 2021 - Trekell 30 - Day 12 Winner - "Debbie Harry"