As a former sculptor, Michael prefers to use the palette knife for his artwork, it suits his internal rhythm and satisfies his need for a kinetic application of the paint. He particularly gravitates towards bold colors and thick layers of paint to lend a three dimensional quality to the painting. He paints in broad statements, " It is less about being correct, and more about engaging your imagination and provoking an emotional response.”
Michael's works (including murals, old world tapestries and frescoes) have been collected by many celebrities, private and corporate collectors throughout the US and Europe.
The following are excerpts from an EPK interview.
"I am a "self-taught" artist. although I use that term very loosely. I have never taken an art class or workshop other than a couple of watercolor demonstration venues years ago. I have never had the time. Raising three kids and juggling an acting career that often took me out of town for months at a time, simply did not afford me the time to commit to my artwork. I had to "sneak" it in when I could."
"I enjoy acting as a collaborative art form, but sometimes I want to be the writer, director, producer, and actor, and painting allows me to do that. So much of what I do as an actor is to simply fill a role that has already been determined by other people. I have much greater freedom as a fine artist to create from start to finish. I have always turned to art as my "centering" activity. It gives me great peace and a genuine sense of connectedness with the bigger picture, if you will."
"I have always found a sense of belonging as an artist. When I was a young boy my third grade teacher was always overly enthusiastic regarding my drawings and paintings. I think it was then that I figured out that I was on to something.
"I don't think an artist can divorce themselves from their "voice" if you will, as easy as some might think. I can recognize an artist's work simply by the "footprint" they leave behind, regardless of palette, style, theme, or medium."
"There are consistencies in my own work that are never consciously thought out, they just show up in the work. I find that fascinating. For instance, I am an avid hang glider pilot and have spent hundreds of hours either in the sky or looking at it for flying conditions, so I have an affinity for skies and have a tendency to paint them in a particular way."
I enjoy mystery and ambiguity over the literal. As a viewer I want to participate with the artist by filling in the details that were left out. I admire and appreciate the technical skill required for photo realism, but I tend to prefer more "painterly" works of art."
"Twilight, moonlight, the golden hour, sunrises and sunsets, autumn colors and nature get me going."
"My goal as an artist is to keep taking risks and try as best I can to stretch beyond the "comfort zone"."
When not busy painting Michael is busy running Balanced Life (www.balancedlifesite.com) a peak performance company he and his lovely wife Ilka founded. "I am a cancer survivor of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) the same cancer that took my father's life when I was 18. I was only 19 when I was diagnosed with it, so we take health pretty seriously."
My family... my wife and children are my priority, I have turned down some opportunities because I knew that it would affect my family in an adverse way. I never like being away from them for very long. They are my constant joy and reward and I would not trade the time spent with them for any super success in either of the professional worlds I navigate in. I love spending time with them. We have a summer home on a lake in Washington State, and when we get there... time stands still and we have the best memories to take home."
"Working in TV and Film can take it's tole on many families and relationships due to the uncertainty and the long and varied hours. Often times I would be in a 5 star hotel in an exotic location like Africa, Australia or places in Europe and be calling home daily because I was so homesick.
" I have coached all three of my kid's in various sports, and spend as much time with them as I can... they keep me grounded."
" I think I'd like to be remembered as a man who took a big bite out of life."
Available for commissions. Please send all inquiries by e-mail to mcgradyfineart@aol.com.
