“It is my mission to bring the purchasers and viewers of my artwork into a greater appreciation, awareness, and awe for the creation around them and for the God who created it all.”
Meet The Artist:
Michael resides in Wappingers Falls, NY with his wife Clare, 2 of their 11 children, 1 of his 8 grandchildren, 2 cats, 1 dog and 6 chickens. Michael is blessed to have all of his children and grandchildren living locally and to be able spend time with them on a regular basis. The beautiful Hudson River Valley of New York State has been home to Michael ever since he was born and it continues to be the inspiration for much of his artwork.
Some of Michaels favorite past times aside from painting include:
Serving God and being an active member at his church Salem Tabernacle where he has attended since around 1980.
Spending time with his family has always been top priority. He is known to go above and beyond and express his love to his family in so many unique and loving ways.
During hunting season he enjoys hunting and always enjoys exploring nature and all it entails.
Fun fact, he is a huge “jokester”, so much so his 70th birthday was themed around dad jokes!
How Michaels art
story began:
His interest in painting began when was just four years old. His mother, not seeing him around the house for long time, went went outside and began calling for him. After a few minutes he came out of the barn covered in red! Thinking the worst, his mother shouted, "Michael, what happened to you?!" He lifted up his hand, which had a big paintbrush in it, and shouted back, "I paint!"
When he was just 10 years old, Michael won his first art contest with an oil painting of Mt. Beacon in New York, which he painted with left-over paint-by-number oil paints.
Education and Experience:
Michael earned a BFA degree in Graphic Design from The Cleveland Institute of Art in Ohio, apprenticed 4 years with woodcarver and friend Jarvis Boone, and has taught private woodworking and art classes.
“The Surrendered Awl” has been owned and operated by Michael and his Wife Clare since 1990. This business includes a wide range of expertise; making and refinishing furniture,
upholstering, antique restoration and much more! Michael continues to uphold this company to this day.
MICHAELS ARTWORK REFLECTS HIS LOVE OF GOD AND THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S CREATION. AS YOU VISIT THE DIFFERENT GALLERIES ON THE WEBSITE YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT MOST OF MICHAELS PAINTINGS HAVE UNIQUE AND SOMETIMES WHIMSICAL STORIES BEING THEM.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know the artist!