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Michael Ward  Costa Mesa, CA

'In the future we must still shop'
Acrylic on canvas
'Mi salon'
Acrylic on canvas

* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.


About Michael


Michael Ward is a self taught painter from Costa Mesa, CA.

Michael explains his work by saying, “I began my artistic career doing pen and ink renderings of historical architecture. I began painting in 1980, first in gouache, then in acrylics. Artists whose work I admire and draw inspiration from include Edward Hopper, Charles Sheeler, Richard Estes and Vermeer. I am most interested in depicting what Alan Watts called the mystery of the ordinary; the workaday world we live in without seeing until we are forced to focus upon it, as in a painting. Nearly all my paintings are based on photographs I have taken, primarily of Southern California scenes, over the years. Though it was never my intention to depict nostalgic scenes, many of the images I have painted have disappeared or been radically altered in the ever-changing landscape that is Southern California. Thus nostalgia is thrust upon the works. But what I am really after is bearing witness, and making people stop what they’re doing and pay attention, to something they may have never seen before, but that makes them feel “I know this.””


Quick facts about Michael


Michael draws inspiration from Edward Hopper, Charles Sheeler, Richard Estes and Vermeer.
He is a self taught painter.

Michael appears in the following Top 10 lists


'California'

'2013'

'Driven'

'LOL'


10 of 18 reactions displayed


"Did he paint landscapes in and around Encinitis, Ca.?"

"I adore this picture because it is so simple and yet has some nice added variations that make one want to look at it again."

"Awesome!"

"Thanks for the kool stuuf you give:) <3"

"This picture looks like it was taken in Bridgeport California at the old Busters Market"

"i love that car!"

"I love these! Lots of stuff to like on your website."



"epic"


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