Mike McSorley
| Artistic Category | artist |
|---|---|
| Career Level | Mid-career |
| Experienced With | Commissions |
It is inspiring the way light falls across a surface, changing it from darkness to light. As a child, I filled the margins of my notebooks; turning circles into spheres, extruding words, creating 3 dimensional objects from any shape.
My works reflect that interest. The original techniques of shading and extruding have been augmented with color theory, atmosphere, edge quality and experimentation.
First the image is drawn using graphite and brushed around with turpentine. The background is blocked in, pulling the graphite into the paint and using it to darken and tone down the edges. This layer is thin and the ground of the board is allowed to reflect back. This increases the intensity of the color and by brushing, scraping and rubbing; the color can be augmented. Sometimes the lines are still visible in the finished painting and at other times I redraw the edges with pencil to add strength.
I like to bring attention to the common objects around us.
Mike McSorley, 2014
Artist Bio
At the age of 8, I was allowed to take some photos with an old camera. My photos of bicycle wheels, sewage pumps and other inane objects vexed my parents (film & developing was expensive), but predicted some of the art I now produce. My epiphany came in High School Art class: Art was what I was meant to do.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1979 with a degree in Fine Art, and supplemented this education with classes and workshops from local and national artists.
Immediately I rented a studio in Etna, outside Pittsburgh, and several others followed. My current studio is located in North Point Breeze. Many jobs ensued, always focusing on what would allow the most time for art production. Finally settling on Art Handling allowed the time and had the added benefit of viewing art in private and museum collections.
My art has been shown in regional and national shows, a handful of solo shows and won a few awards. Most recent was 3rd place in the Hoyt Regional, juried by Louis Zona.
I am married with two adult children and reside in North Versailles, PA.
For more info: www.mmcsorley.com
Links
Genres
- Drawing
- Illustration
- Painting
Keywords
- Figurative
- Modern
- Oil Paint
- Realist
- Representational
- Still life
- Landscape