Artist Bio

JohnMichael studied architecture at Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota. While attending the U of M, he also began a serious study of fine art painting which resulted in several one-man shows most notably the show at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis. Several of his drawings were also selected for a national touring art exhibition.

While in Minnesota, he won several prestigious awards. In 1993 and again in 1995, he was awarded First Place in the Minnesota Center for the Arts open juried competition, which featured nearly 600 entries both years.

JohnMichael is a gifted visual artist. Since the mid-80s, he has also been active in graphic design, web design, and professional photography. His photography clients include Northwest Airlines, America West Airlines, the City of St Paul, Travel Agent Magazine, Arizona Business Magazine, Ducks Unlimited Magazine, National Historical Endowment, Taliesin West, and numerous public speakers, models and musicians.

In 1997, JohnMichael moved to Arizona where he now lives and paints.

Besides, enjoying contemporary architecture, JohnMichael is a student of the New York School (abstract expressionism). He admires the work of Franz Kline, Jasper Johns, and Larry Rivers among others. He also studied the work of artists from the Far East. As a result, you may see elements of abstract expressionism, minimalism, the orient, calligraphy, and architecture in his provocative abstract paintings.

JohnMichael is fast becoming recognized throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Over the past 2 years, the artist sold over 50 paintings to collectors. Many of JohnMichael's paintings are in corporate as well as private collections throughout the United States and his work has received rave reviews recently by many collectors.

He has a growing reputation and relationship with several galleries in Italy and, recently, with art collectors and enthusiasts in Spain and India.

John Michael is a member of the Americans for the Arts, Fractured Atlas, and Chandler Art Guild. He was also listed in the 2005 Contemporary Artists Directory for Arizona.

Future Exhibitions

January, 2008 - OpenArt Award 2008, Sale del Bramante – Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy
2008 - Invited Artist : Several Exhibits PRIMO PIANO LIVINGALLERY, Lecce Italy
Recent Exhibitions

2007

- Jury selected for 2-3-d-8 Energy Gallery exhibit Toronto Canada
- Chandler Arizona Art Walk
- Artisimo Gallery, Continuous, Scottsdale AZ

2006

- 'A Night With The Artist' 4 Seasons Resort, Scottsdale AZ
- Art featured in movie by Hollywood Phoenix Studio
- Day Gallery, Phoenix AZ, First Friday Art Walk and Show
- Group Show at The Harris in el Pedregal, Boulder AZ

2005

- Artisimo Gallery, Scottsdale AZ

2004

- Hopkins Fine Art, Scottsdale AZ

1995

- Touring Drawing Exhibit
- Minnesota Center for the Arts juried show
First Place Painting Division

1993

- Minnesota Center for the Arts juried show
First Place Painting Division

Invited Artist but was unable to participat

Dec, 2007 - Invited Artist : Florence (Italy) Biennale, Biennale Internazionale
Deii 'Arte' Contemporanea
Aug, 2007 - Invited Artist : Trapani (Italy) 2007
Oct, 2006 - Invited Artist : 'Genius & Madness' Exhibit PRIMO PIANO LIVINGALLERY, Lecce Italy

March, 2008 : JohnMichael is very honored to announce that he has been selected to display his art in the new online art gallery Alborques.

Gallery Alborques is based in Europe where John Michael's popularity is soaring. The online exhibit is located here Online Gallery Alborques.

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Nov, 2007: Artmajeur SILVER Award for website design www.artneversleeps.com.

"Congratulations! Your web site has been reviewed by our team members and we have decided to reward you with the Artmajeur Silver Award!"

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Sep, 2007 : JohnMichael has been selected to participate in the '2-3-d-8' exhibition at the Energy Gallery in Toronto, Canada. The online exhibit will open on September 25, 2007 and run Oct - Dec 2007.

View the press release...Click Here

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Oct, 2006 : JohnMichael was invited to participate in the Trapani 2007 Art Exhibit in Trapani, Italy.

The exhibit will feature contemporary artists from all over the world. Leading edge art will be the hallmark of the exhibit and that is why JohnMichael was invited to participate. Trapani is a beautiful mediterrenean seaport backed by Erice, a mountain-top town, and fronted by the Egadi islands. It has particularly rich cultural influences from many ancient civilizations: Trojan, Phoenician, Roman and Arabic. The city offers many excellent venues for exhibiting visual art, and in recent years has seen a rekindling of interest in hosting international artistic and sporting events.

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Sep, 2006 : JohnMichael was invited to participate in the 'Genius & Madness' art exhibit at the fabulous Primo Piano Livingallery, Lecce, Italy.

From the Gallery Administrator: 'On the presupposed one that the terms "genius" and "madness" refer both to two various ways of human expression, and therefore understandings like different ways of artistic expression, can be allegated that the art as concept does not exist, in how much is not other that a various way to express the own sensibility. The terms brilliant or crowds can therefore be of the synonyms in order simply to identify individuals to which it comes attributed one particular sensibility, beyond that difficultly found behaviors, personalities and "productions" in the average. The artists, the poets live a condition of GENIUS and MADNESS that often coincide.'

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News! August 20, 2006 : JohnMichael's abstract paintings were featured in a movie filmed in Arizona. The movie stars Robert Wagner, Darrel Hammond, and Judd Nelson and is directed by Dean Matthew Ronalds. The movie is titled 'Netherbeast Incorporated' and is currently being shown in film festivals across the USA and Europe.

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Aug, 2006 : JohnMichael was invited to participate in the prestigious Biennale Internazionale Deii 'Arte' Contemporanea held in Florence Italy.

The sixth edition of the Florence Biennale will take place from 1 to 9 December 2007 in the historical Fortezza da Basso. In 2001 The United Nations recognized the Florence Biennale as an official partner in the program “Dialogue Among Nations”. The artists of the Biennale, despite their differences of language and faith, found a common language in art to communicate their cultural values, illustrating Kofi Annan's statement: "Art opens new doors for learning, understanding, and peace among people and nations". The sixth edition of the Biennale of Contemporary Art will take place at the historic location of the Fortezza da Basso from 1-9 December 2007. The 2005 edition, closed with a large public attendance and a happy presence of 768 artists worldwide. Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Richard Anuskiewicz who were awarded with the maximum recognition, the Lorenzo il Magnifico award for the career, were protagonists of unforgettable days, with conferences that attracted an impressive number of enthusiasts, artists and visitors.

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May, 2006 : Winner! Muj Art Gold Award

The Muj Art Award´s goal is to create an excellent art award. The importance of this award is to promote spiritual awareness in both art and webdesign. "This award is given for an excellent likeability and a good quality of the art work exhibited. You have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colours and you have a great vision in your art. The presentation and usability of your site is noteworthy, excellent and pleasant. The content is very informative." 05/20/2006 Lund/Sweden

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FIRST PLACE - Best Painting

Megans Bay

1995, acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48"

'Megans Bay' was awarded First Place in the annual Minnesota Center for the Arts juried competition in 1995. Approx 600 works of art were entered in the competition. JohnMichael's love of the tropics can be seen in 'Megans Bay'. 'Megans Bay' is now in a private collection. The painting is signed 'Kearney'.

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FIRST PLACE - Best Painting

Fleeting Image

1993, acrylic on double canvas, 30.5" x 40"

'Fleeting Image' was awarded First Place in the annual Minnesota Center for the Arts juried competition in 1993. Approx 600 works of art were entered in the competition.

"Fleeting Image" is a medium size but important painting. It is a double canvas framed with natural wood. The canvas and frame make up the complete work of art. The painting can be described as "cool" or zen-like. It has abstract expressionist qualities with a zen-like mood. "Fleeting Image" contains mystery and subtle shapes. Very thoughtful. The painting depicts the conflict between an endangered owl and the lumber industry. Measuring 30.5"x40", the primary colors are white over black, grey with background colors of red, blue, brown, yellow. The painting is framed by the artist. The painting is signed 'Kearney 93'.