At age 13, Michael was handed brush, paint, canvas and freedom of expression. His paintings became the voice of one whom otherwise found himself silent in a boisterous world. The silence of a painting, he discovered, can present a substantial voice and have momentous influence on a viewer. This element of visual arts became a resource of survival for the young artist searching for significance.
After 6 years of experimenting with impressionist, expressionist and abstract painting, Michael entered the world of fine art education at Millersville State College and York Academy of Arts. Exposed to teachers whose first priority was in their private practice of painting and who subsidized their craft by teaching, Michael absorbed the experiences of noteworthy artisans and grew in his own ability to speak in the quiet medium. A 30-year career in printing, graphic arts and advertising design followed while painting remained a constant resource for the artist's personal expression. After many years of integrating his painting craft with his professional career choices and an extensive exhibition history, the artist has settled on one surviving creative choice:
"I paint because it makes me feel good."
Writing poetry became a natural addition to Michael's creative outlet. Years of silent journalism evolved into pages of poetic expression, and now his palette has broadened to embrace the publishing of his pen.
And so evolves Michael's work into a series of Graphic Poetry displayed here on the tab Gallery A. Images, symbols and words make up each composition to create an experience unlike the page of free verse or the framed painting. Graphic Poetry is meant to be an expression sometimes quite abstract to access the viewers personal connection to the elements used, and in some pieces is meant to guide the reader around a story of discovery. In any case, the Graphic Poem is a piece of artwork, a creative experiment and a decoration of either ugliness or beauty.
After 6 years of experimenting with impressionist, expressionist and abstract painting, Michael entered the world of fine art education at Millersville State College and York Academy of Arts. Exposed to teachers whose first priority was in their private practice of painting and who subsidized their craft by teaching, Michael absorbed the experiences of noteworthy artisans and grew in his own ability to speak in the quiet medium. A 30-year career in printing, graphic arts and advertising design followed while painting remained a constant resource for the artist's personal expression. After many years of integrating his painting craft with his professional career choices and an extensive exhibition history, the artist has settled on one surviving creative choice:
"I paint because it makes me feel good."
Writing poetry became a natural addition to Michael's creative outlet. Years of silent journalism evolved into pages of poetic expression, and now his palette has broadened to embrace the publishing of his pen.
And so evolves Michael's work into a series of Graphic Poetry displayed here on the tab Gallery A. Images, symbols and words make up each composition to create an experience unlike the page of free verse or the framed painting. Graphic Poetry is meant to be an expression sometimes quite abstract to access the viewers personal connection to the elements used, and in some pieces is meant to guide the reader around a story of discovery. In any case, the Graphic Poem is a piece of artwork, a creative experiment and a decoration of either ugliness or beauty.
Michael Nevin Walker has worked as a Gallery Assistant with Gallery Curator Brenda Wintermyer and he has served as Gallery Curator and Business Operations Manager of City Art Gallery in York PA. Michael has taught painting workshops at Susquehanna Commerce Art Center, City Art Studio, York Art Association and Walker Art Studio. Now retired, Michael enjoys studio painting, plein air painting, maintaining a certified wildlife habitat urban garden called FERN AVENUE GARDEN, and spending time with his wife and their children, grandchildren and great grandchild.