Michael Clark’s Biography

Michael Clark is a plein air landscape painter from originally from Traverse City Michigan. Michael’s paintings capture the light, color, and beauty that are found in the Michigan landscape. Working on location Michael must work fast and direct to capture the light before it changes. This way of working results in unique works that combines both impressionism and realism. Michael also draws inspiration by studying the work of both contemporary masters like Skip Whitcomb, Clyde Aspvig, and Ted Goerschner along with masters such as John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. Michael Clark grew up on the old mission peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan. Living in Northern Michigan he developed a love for nature and being outdoors. Painting allows Michael to combine these two loves. Michael works on site to create small paintings and does larger works in his studio based on the smaller sketches. “Painting from life is the most honest way to capture a scene. Photos don’t show the true colors and values or give me the true feeling of a scene.” Michael holds a BFA in painting from Kendall College of Art and Design and has also supplemented his training with workshops and classes with several nationally known artists. In 2006 Michael received second place award at Grand Valley Artists Spring Competition and had a painting accepted into the national Barns and Farms annual show in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Michael was also juried into the prestigious KRASIL outdoor art fair in St Joe MI. Michael also works in pastel and is a member of the Great Lakes Pastel Society. Michael is currently represented by Grand Gallery in Grand Rapids MI, Crooked Tree Art Center Sales Gallery in Petoskey MI. and Treeline Gallery in Suttons Bay, MI. Resume
Education
BFA in painting from Kendall College of Art and Design 2006

Private Study and Workshops
Ken Cadwallader - Grand Rapids, MI
Clayton Beck III - Chicago, IL
Timothy C. Tyler - Siloam Springs, AK
G Eric Slayton - Prescott, AZ
Neil Boyle - Vancouver Island, Canada
Pat Ford - Traverse City, MI

Awards and Exhibitions
City of Churches, Grand Valley Artists 2004
Grand Valley Artists Spring Competition 2005
Solo Show, One Trick Pony 2005
Selected to Exhibit at the KRASIL outdoor art fair, St Joseph, MI
Grand Valley Artists Spring Competition 2006 (second place)
Great Lakes Pastel Society, National Juried Show 2006
Festival Art Show, Grand Rapids Art Museum 2006
Barns and Farms, National Juried Exhibition Kewaunee, WI 2006
Invited to participate in “art out of doors exhibition” Waterstreet Gallery, Saugautuck Mi.
Gallery Representation
Grand Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan www.grandgallery.com
Treeline Gallery, Suttons Bay, Michigan
Artwork Associates, Grand Rapids Michigan
Memberships and Organizations
Grand Valley Artists active member
Great Lakes Pastel Society active member