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Michael Compton

Award winning Massachusetts artist Michael Compton studied art and design at Colorado State University and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design.. He has worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, and fabric print designer. Alongside his commercial work, Michael has kept an ongoing career as a watercolorist and painter with a passion for painting in plein air, participating in a number of plein air events across the country. His paintings is can be found in numerous private and corporate collections including McKinsey & Co, Fidelity Investments, and Harvard University.
He currently maintains a studio in Somerville Massachusetts at the Miller St Artists Building.

Gallery

Biography

Michael Compton was born in Portland Oregon in 1949. His childhood years were spent in California, Colorado, andIllinois.

Michael studied art and graphic design at Colorado State University and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Finding work initially as a package designer for Minnetonka Labs in Chaska Minnesota, Michael’s commercial art career also included print and book illustration, and fabric print through Whimsical Ink, a company he co- founded.

Michael has maintained an ongoing presence in fine art as an award winning watercolorist and painter. His paintings can be found in numerous corporate collections including McKinsey $ Co, Fidelity Investments, Mellon Bank and Harvard University.
Michael currently devoted his time entirely to painting, with an emphasis on his plein air work
His work has won awards at the New England Watercolor Society, the American Impressionist Society, En Plein Air Texas and Finger Lakes Plein Air. His paintings have been included in several Oil Painters of America national exhibitions.
He currently maintains an active studio in Somerville Massachusetts.

Artist Statement

Although I’ve always had a keen interest in art, it wasn’t until well into my adolescent years that I stood before an actual oil painting. An Aunt with an interest in culture took me to see a famous collectin of 19th century portraits and landscapes. I was not only astonished by the technical prowess of these artists, but felt in many of the paintings thecartist had unlocked something deeper than mere representation. Perhaps a reflection of truth through beauty that great art contains. A mystery that makes a work of art alluring and enduring. As an artist it’s that elusive quality that I strive for.

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