Michael Cassidy
After years working in commercial illustration, and building his reputation and style in Hawaii, Michael Cassidy is now focusing his talents on the Western genre. When looking at Michael's work, his inspirations become obvious with the likes of Frank Tenney Johnson, John Singer Sargent and the Taos Founders. Michael paints wet on wet, working from the middle values and outward in both directions. His goal is to say the most with the least. "A truly artistic masterpiece must get it’s point across clearly, quickly and memorably. The artistic philosophy should carry the message of the artist." - Michael Cassidy
"Love, adventure, romance, mystery, truth, beauty…that’s about as close as I can get to describing the “magic” in a great piece of art. I can sort of elude to it but can’t exactly explain it. It just happens…I’ve known artists who are very good draftsmen with good technical skills who’s paintings are dead as a doornail. They never go beyond a technical exercise. Don’t get me wrong I believe in doing everything possible to develop drawing and painting skills. If you don’t have the technical ability to put on paper or canvas what’s in your mind then you hit a ceiling you can’t get beyond until you do something to upgrade your skills to the point they can keep up with your imagination but there’s more to it then just technique." - Michael Cassidy
"Love, adventure, romance, mystery, truth, beauty…that’s about as close as I can get to describing the “magic” in a great piece of art. I can sort of elude to it but can’t exactly explain it. It just happens…I’ve known artists who are very good draftsmen with good technical skills who’s paintings are dead as a doornail. They never go beyond a technical exercise. Don’t get me wrong I believe in doing everything possible to develop drawing and painting skills. If you don’t have the technical ability to put on paper or canvas what’s in your mind then you hit a ceiling you can’t get beyond until you do something to upgrade your skills to the point they can keep up with your imagination but there’s more to it then just technique." - Michael Cassidy