Michael is a graduate of Washington State University, where he studied sculpture, lithography and art history. Upon graduation Michael pursued an artistic career in Seattle, working primarily as a painter, until he took a long pause – a ten year pause to be exact – to move to Spokane, get married, and start a family. A couple of years ago Michael shifted gears again and restarted my artistic career.
Michael now primarily creates mixed media wall pieces and sculptural screens. He tell us that while this last year has easily been the most fruitful of his artistic life, the past always informs the present, and everything that Michael creates now is built upon a unique foundation of work from deep in his past and the full span of his life.
“I feel that the essence and mystery of life is defined by the interplay of those things seen, and those that are not.”
Michael has long been intrigued by the idea of trying to depict things that are hidden. His creative process embraces this idea: Michael utilizes a variety of underpainting techniques which gives depth to the painted image and as a way to give a nod to the complexity that lies under a common skin. He uses a writing process to generate imagery and to focus his vision for a piece, and often includes this writing in the finished work to add depth and clarity to the total image.
Take a look at Michael’s work on his website and social media. www.michaeldinning.com; www.facebook.com/michaeldinning; www.instagram.com/notes_from_a_tiny_studio
Learn more about Michael Dinning and his artistic process: Visit Michael at Art on the Ave on Saturday, September 24th. Exhibits will be open from noon to 6 PM with Live Music continuing until 9 PM (1700-1900 blocks of East Sprague Avenue [Madelia to Napa], Spokane WA 99202).
