In the long course of a lifetime, I am a relatively recent transplant to the world of canvas art, although I have had a long history of dabbling in design, color and artistic projects since my childhood.

I have Aspergers, which accounts for my ability to paint proficiently and effectively without formal training. My first 5 paintings have been displayed and sold in art galleries in 3 states. I continue to evolve, develop my own style and progress because of an aptitude that I attribute to my Aspergers. While I can paint like an artistic savant, I have other deficits such as face blindness (inability to remember faces if they are “out of location context” or if clothing or hairstyle has significantly changed). I can do complex math in my head, but cannot fill out forms, reports, schedules, or balance a checkbook. Aspergers has its pluses and minuses… Oh and I have the tendency to be very, very, very verbal (I talk a lot).

My process is very interesting. The use of a reference photo that I lay beside my easel, in many ways dictates what my mind will perceive as the approach for the finished artwork. Each reference photo must speak to me and I must have an emotional connection to the subject, colors, of design placement of the photo. The actual process toward the finished piece can go in many directions, but ultimately my mind will take the photo and transform it into my own version of the subject in the photo. Imagine taking a simple landscape photo and punching up the colors on adrenaline, and then loosely using the subjects and placement to create a finished piece of art. That is what happens in my subconscious mind, so that the photographic elements and colors are recognizable in the finished artwork, but nothing actually appears copied from the original.

My brush or palette knife movement is quick and almost manic, although the application of the paint is calculated but yet appears random on the canvas. Color and emotions pour from the finished canvas to draw the viewer deeply into the art. Ultimately, I hope the paint on the canvas provides a doorway into my world and will capture my desire to touch another receptive soul.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Michael-Tolleson/300007513391922

http://www.artofmichaeltolleson.com

Mip