Michael R.

From the start, Michael R. had a passion for art, a passion for life in all its lush shapes, color drama and conflicting images.

As a boy, he was captivated by the light-shadows transforming his village surroundings from the familiar to the mysterious.

Images in the market crowd inspired his quick sketches using school room chalk. No flat surface was safe from his expressive mischief; a cobblestone path, a rough wall or a poster for a Hollywood western. One day his abstract scribble on the rump of a standing horse drew crowd laughter and applause; shortly followed by a swift lash from the angry owner. Brief fame turned to reality tears until a kind merchant presented Michael with a blank sketchbook and the Artist was born.