Artist Statement

Every mask contains some form of idealized beauty and expressive power which inspires me to collect them and use them as subject matter in my paintings. I place these masks in different environments - sometimes as a means of social commentary, sometimes as a humorous anecdote, but mostly I paint their "portraits". I enjoy the challenge of giving these inanimate objects a life of their own; projecting personality through color, composition and style.

Each painting leads me on a journey of discovery as I look both inward and outward for meaning and inspiration. These mask paintings have helped me to learn more about myself, and I hope the viewer takes away something new from each experience with one of them.

-Don Michael, Jr.

About the Artist

Don Michael, Jr. has known he was going to be an artist since he was 4 years old. Adults found that the best way to keep him out of trouble was to give him paper, a pencil and some crayons and he'd be a good boy for hours. That still applies to this day. The only time Don is not in trouble is when he's creating. If you don't believe this, just ask his wife.

Don earned his Bachelor's degree from The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Being such a quick learner, it only took him 14 years from start to finish to earn his degree - during which time he married and became a dad. With school finally under his belt he started working as a graphic artist in television which quickly grew into the roll of Art Director. Don worked for TV stations in Oklahoma City, OK; Norfolk, VA; and Las Vegas, NV while garnering several industry awards, including an EMMY.

During all this time, Don continued to enjoy painting, but kept it pretty much to himself. In December 2007, a serendipitous opportunity found several of his paintings hanging in a one-man one-night-only art exhibit at one of the lounges in the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This lit a fire in Don's psyche to put more focus into his painting at which point he committed to painting every night after his family went to bed. Don continues to honor that commitment and has had several of the ensuing works juried into exhibitions around the country and on the internet.

Don lives with his wife and their 3 children in Las Vegas where he has taken over most of the first floor of their home for his studio. He welcomes visits but asks that if you'd like to come by his studio please email him first at don@donmichaeljr.com to set up an appointment.