NAA Featured Artist Show

Michael Cunliffe Thompson

Eye of a Sailor
July 22 – July 28
Oils
Reception: Friday, July 23, 7 – 9pm

In kindergarten, the teacher noticed that I was always staring out of the window, so one day she asked me to draw what was out there. When I had finished she reacted in amazement and all the class gathered around. That is when I first learned I had some talent!

However my interests were broad and I chose to study science. After a degree in Physics, I had a career in software engineering and completed a Masters Degree in Computer Science. In my spare time I painted, welded sculpture, made silkscreen prints and drew landscapes in charcoal.

Having a family with three children did not leave much time for my art. When I retired in 2002 I began painting full time. Having had no formal training in art, I try to paint every day, study technique and learn from the experience of others.

I am a sailor and an artist. My work is inspired by nature and is expressionist in style. In the summer I spend as much time as possible painting on my sailboat in Maine. I like to anchor in small distant bays and coves where my boat HAVEN is the only boat around. (Yes, you can still find such places!)

I paint in oils and acrylics and aim at a style that is both exciting and colorful. I paint on my sailboat in Maine and in my studio in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. The best compliment for an artist is the purchase of his work. I am therefore gratified that over fifty people have purchased my work and one of them has collected 12 paintings. I exhibit regularly in juried shows and have had eleven solo shows since 2002.

My painting is not “realistic” in the sense that I do not attempt to "copy" the subject as accurately as possible. I don't paint picture postcards. Being there is exciting and rewarding and inspires me. The painting on my easel evolves as I work on it and I feel it has a life of its own and I follow where it leads.

During the reception (Friday, July 23rd 7-9pm), the artist will talk about painting from a sailboat.

You can see my work and read more about me at http://cunliffethompson.com