"Art Shelf" orignal signed acrylic painting on canvas (2007) Painting by Michael Arnold

Artist's statement
"Art for me is a creative release, therefore I have no boundaries in my work. I work on what moves me spiritually, visually and creatively."

Artist's Bio
In the first grade, my drawings earned notice and my family encouraged my artistic expression by enrolling me into charcoal drawing and ceramics classes. I took sculpture classes in middle school. In high school I took commercial art classes, created artwork for the school newspaper, designed the cover and inside pages of the creative writing magazine and helped build the backdrop for the junior-senior prom. Following high school, my art took a back seat as my wife of 32 years and I raised three sons. Eventually, we started our own cabinet company, which reawakened my creative juices. I expanded my creative avenues as a freelance writer for the local newspaper. I eventually left the cabinet business and embarked on my current career as a journalist. In 2004, I returned to school with a goal of earning a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary studies. While earning my Associates Degree at the local community college, I began taking art classes again and earned the visual arts award at graduation. I currently balance art with online studies at Florida State University and a full time job as a managing editor.

Influences
I enjoy many different styles including impressionism, pop art, abstract expressionism, naturalism, post-impressionism, art deco and contemporary. All of these styles influence my work, but do not define my style.

Medium
I primarily work in acrylics, but have produced works in pastels, graphite, charcoal colored pencils and ink.

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : 1957
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists