Gary Michael, an architect by training, has worked in watercolors, colored pencil and acrylics, but since 1990 has concentrated on pastels and oils. He finds pastels particularly responsive. "Pastels are a wonderful combination of drawing and painting, they are easily portable for plein air work, and a range of rich colors are available."
Gary is a resident of Milwaukie and has been involved in the community in many ways including participation with the North Clackamas Arts Guild, the Island Station neighborhood, the Trolley Trail Art Selection Committee, and the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Arts Committee.
Gary is inspired by scenes in nature and historic cities with a strong or unique sense of place. "I try to capture the essence and share the experience." When he is not painting he most likely is playing his trumpet in one of several ensembles or traveling with his wife, State Representative Carolyn Tomei. Their trips to Britain, Europe, China, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Latin America have provided experiences and images for many paintings.
"Art has always been an important part of my life. I drew constantly as a child, and made thousands of drawings as an architect. My paintings are basically drawings, whether done with a brush or with pastels. There is something incredibly satisfying about placing lines and shapes of color on two-dimensional surfaces, and it's all the more fun when recording and translating my impressions of beautiful places."
Gary is a prolific artist with many more paintings featured on his website here:
