Michael lives in Ardrossan in the scenic West Coast of Scotland opposite the Islands of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Colour and light are the main inspiration in his projects. His studio looks out onto these two stunning Scottish landmarks.
Though classically trained at Leeds Metropolitan University from 1977-1981, specialising in ceramics, Michael claims to be ‘self taught’. He feels more comfortable now exploring and experimenting with inner thoughts about the world, light, a fleeting moment, a glimpse of a crashing wave or brightly coloured boats. His palette knife and bold brush strokes are strong features of his paintings. Furthermore, he feels a sense of thankfulness as viewers are left wondering about a piece of his work or questioning an emotion that is ignited in them whilst looking at it. His subjects vary and are often viewed as simply vehicles for swathes of mature colour combination, bold brush and palette knife strokes.
Michael travels extensively throughout Scotland, Spain and Australia selecting scenes which allow him to describe a moment in time rather than depicting a general notion of a location. Viewers often ask him what has been going on in his head during his painting sessions. He has various answers but mainly settles for "once a scene starts to 'read' on the canvas, I like to distort certain areas to ignite the mind in a painterly way".
Certain artistic mantras have stayed with Michael all through his painting career, namely, 'art is about knowing what mistakes to erase and which to keep', 'it is not an artist's job to represent reality as it is' and his favourite, 'an artist need not know how to explain his art any more than a flower needs to know how to explain horticulture'.
Michael’s work features a consistent theme of striking light and well worked out greys to striking pinks. Michael shows his work in galleries in Scotland and now in Spain and Australia and has an extensive list of private collectors worldwide. Arran and Ailsa Craig are wanted by Ex Pats everywhere because they are such beautiful islands to visit and to paint.
All Michael's work is framed by the Waverley Gallery in Prestwick where they are hand painted and waxed over several layers in a colour of your choice in solid wood frames.
To view his paintings in his own private home gallery please contact by phone, email or messenger.
Telephone: Michael 07857437672, Diane (business partner) 07788487008