Michael is an international award winning pastel artist from New Zealand. He has had a fascination with realism since childhood and in his paintings he is always striving to create images that have greater depth and feeling than can be achieved with a photograph.
Michael is in the Master Circle of IAPS (IAPS/MC), is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Artists of New Zealand (MPANZ), and has a Master of Fine Arts degree (University of Illinois, USA)
Michael went to Elam School of Fine Arts (University of Auckland) to be a painter and left a product designer. However after a successful design career in 2010 he decided to return to his passion for painting. Starting initially with acrylics, before discovering the wonderful medium of pastel – which suits his hyperrealistic style and love of detail.
Michael’s subjects range from his current series of still life paintings featuring iconic New Zealand toys and objects, through - landscapes featuring old weathered sheds, barns, railway carriages, windows and doors, old locks, and farm animals (mainly cows) – all inspired from photographic trips along New Zealand's roads.
Michael has won many awards internationally and in New Zealand, and has been exhibiting his work regularly since 2015.
Master Circle IAPS
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Signature Member of
Pastel Society of America
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Pastel Artist of New Zealand
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Mastrius Master Artist