I
started painting with watercolors in college, but my progress was deterred by career, marriage, and children. Since my retirement in 2009 I have focused on painting with oil on canvas. In a Des Moines Art Center class a few years ago I discovered abstract painting. I love the freedom of playing with form, line,color, and texture without having to paint a picture of a "tree" or a "house.
About Michael Thompson
Michael is an artist whose work can be described as sensual, if not sexual, and turbulent in a busy world of forms and colors, much like what we experience daily--not chaotic, but urgent. The work is noisy, bold, and makes us think of periods and artists, particularly from 20th Century art history. The unfurling, unraveling, the twisting and interwoveness of nature, the inner and outer spaces and forms are inviting because we know those ideas. The color and tone make us work to find theses concepts.
Michael in this phase of his life has found that painting with oil brings meaning and pleasure to his life. In Iowa and in Palm Springs, CA, he has developed his style and doesn't plan on holding back.
Education
College of Charleston 2 years
University of Georgia 4 years, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Numerous drawing and painting courses at the Des Moines Art Center
Exhibitions
2022 Des Moines Art Week--Architect/Art Crawl Exhibitor at OPN Architects office
2020 Iowa Exhibited at Polk County Heritage Gallery
2021, 2019, 2018 Exhibitor at ArtFest MidWest, Des Moines, IA, a juried art show
2017 Plymouth Church Gallery exhibitor
2016 Friends of Heritage Gallery exhibitor; Greater Des Moines Exhiibited
2015 Iowa Exhibited, selected exhibitor
2013 Iowa Exhibited, selected exhibitor
started painting with watercolors in college, but my progress was deterred by career, marriage, and children. Since my retirement in 2009 I have focused on painting with oil on canvas. In a Des Moines Art Center class a few years ago I discovered abstract painting. I love the freedom of playing with form, line,color, and texture without having to paint a picture of a "tree" or a "house. About Michael Thompson
Michael is an artist whose work can be described as sensual, if not sexual, and turbulent in a busy world of forms and colors, much like what we experience daily--not chaotic, but urgent. The work is noisy, bold, and makes us think of periods and artists, particularly from 20th Century art history. The unfurling, unraveling, the twisting and interwoveness of nature, the inner and outer spaces and forms are inviting because we know those ideas. The color and tone make us work to find theses concepts.
Michael in this phase of his life has found that painting with oil brings meaning and pleasure to his life. In Iowa and in Palm Springs, CA, he has developed his style and doesn't plan on holding back.
Education
College of Charleston 2 years
University of Georgia 4 years, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Numerous drawing and painting courses at the Des Moines Art Center
Exhibitions
2022 Des Moines Art Week--Architect/Art Crawl Exhibitor at OPN Architects office
2020 Iowa Exhibited at Polk County Heritage Gallery
2021, 2019, 2018 Exhibitor at ArtFest MidWest, Des Moines, IA, a juried art show
2017 Plymouth Church Gallery exhibitor
2016 Friends of Heritage Gallery exhibitor; Greater Des Moines Exhiibited
2015 Iowa Exhibited, selected exhibitor
2013 Iowa Exhibited, selected exhibitor