BIOGRAPHY
Michael Wells, specializing in watercolor paintings and detailed graphite drawings, grew up in western NY primarily Rochester. He exhibited a talent and interest for drawing as a young child and was encouraged by his parents . He attended Gates Chili High School, where as a senior was the recipient of the National Gold Medal in Sculpture from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. In pursuit of his passion, he studied art at the Rochester Institute of Technology and State University of New York at Buffalo, where he received his BFA degree in Fine Art. Upon graduation he ventured to Washington DC, where he developed his passion for picture framing and gallery management, while working at the Smithsonian Institute and other galleries throughout the city and surrounding area. He furthered his education and became a (CPF), certified picture framer to excel in his trade. Challenged to implement his artistic education, he worked as a graphic designer and Art Director for numerous ad agencies including Earl Palmer Brown and associates, in Washington.DC. While working these years as either an Art or Gallery Director he continued to develop an affinity for watercolor and has devoted himself to painting which he continues on to the present day.
"I have definite environmental, social and political opinions, but painting for me is not usually a means to express them. I paint because I like to and hope to share some of that pleasure with the viewer. I believe that a work of art stimulates a personal reaction for each individual based on their background, history and experiences; therefore, I believe there is no right or wrong, good or bad in the expressive presentation of a subject. I do use quality materials, in both paint, paper and brushes with the knowledge that they will perform the best in the development of the image. I paint any subject that interests or pleases ME: people, flowers, buildings, seascapes, animals, whatever...its the image thats important to me.", he says.
“I’m consumed by the perfect watercolor. Failure is a nightmare of every artist with ambition and with students of watercolor in particular because you can’t go back and make changes the way you can with oil. For every successful painting there are dozens never seen. Its the same with drawing, there are no erases on drawing pencils; you do it right or you start over. You must respect the purity and methodology of the medium. I like the control and precision of the developing subject, so I paint in a tight, controlled style that reveals its essence." , he says.
Wells favors a style of painting that closely resembles traditional watercolor. American master watercolorists such as Winslow Homer, John Singer Sergeant, and Andrew Wyeth have had a large impact on his style.
"I like to paint in a style that is representational, but still very much recognized as a painting. I often try to capture the feeling of an element with the fewest strokes possible. However, I like to also be able to use detail when it better expresses the feeling I want to communicate.", he says
"I work with the medium that, from my point of view, best suits the subject and the feeling that I want to create," he says. ' I call my style "Interpretive Realism". The subject is recognizable but it isn't mistaken for a photograph. It is neither abstract nor photographic. Both the subject matter and the fact that it has been painted can easily be determined.", he says.
By “pushing” watercolor paint to its absolute limits, whatever the subject, and creative composition is one more factor that sets Wells' paintings apart. Each is a study in the balance between texture, height and shape. The placement of objects in his paintings must combine to make sense and represent a scene found in real life; a woman in a kitchen, a crayon in a box, or a bird in flight.
Michael currently works out of his studio in Naples Florida, and exhibits in regional juried exhibitions. and specializes in contemporary realism paintings that show true emotion and beauty of the subject matter. A fine line of light and shadow characterizes his crisply detailed subjects. Today his work has gained recognition in regional and national exhibitions and can be found in private collections around the world.
The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude.
Voltaire
The print ad displayed above I designed while as an Art director for Earl Palmer Brown advertising agency of Washington DC.
The client was The American Floral Society, and was the marketing for the annual celebration of " National Grand-Parents Day."
The color photo is a polaroid of my parents that I superimposed on the finished Ad to give to them as a gift.
The photo of the little cowboy, is "yours Truly" on Christmas Day in the 1950's dressed in my authentic: "Roy Rogers" cowboy outfit."
Fine Art Work by Michael Wells, Produced by Puddle Pushing Productions
Handling by Wells Done Packaging, Shipping by Wells Worth It Art Services, All Rights Reserved
Handling by Wells Done Packaging, Shipping by Wells Worth It Art Services, All Rights Reserved
