Artist Biographies

MICHAEL DEAS (1956 - )

A Michael Deas painting characteristically intrigues with its masterful interweaving of light and shadow coupled with exquisite detail. With distinctive poses and eyes that initiate direct contact, his subjects' multi-faceted personalities are illuminated.

Born in Norfolk, VA in 1956, Deas demonstrated his talent and affinity for painting while still very young. As a high school student he began working with oils, the medium he still uses exclusively on hard-board panels, which afford him the luxury of greater detail. Deas went on to study painting at Pratt Institute in New York City, where he received his first commissions to illustrate children's books. There he earned the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts and graduated with honors. Deas continued his studies at Byam Shaw College of Art in London, and later worked as an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

His portraits of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean were chosen by the U.S. Postal Service for the commemorative stamps honoring these legendary stars. "To achieve a sense of light and mood, I use a traditional, classical approach," he explains. "I always do an underpainting, to which I apply many semi-opaque and transparent glazes. Although time-consuming, this approach gives a wonderful sense of light and form."

Deas' honors include four medals from the Society of Illustrators - the Gold Medal in 1991, 1993 and 1996 and the Silver Medal in 1994. His art has been exhibited at the Art Directors Club and The Original Art Show in New York City. A resident of Brooklyn Heights, Deas is currently working on several other portrait commissions for the U.S. Postal Service.

BIRTHPLACE: Norfolk, VA EDUCATION: Pratt Institute, New York, NY

Byam Shaw College of Art, London, England EXHIBITIONS: Art Directors Club, New York, NY

The Original Art Show, New York, NY AWARDS: 1991, 93, 96 Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators

1994 Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators

Copyright (c) 1997 Bruce McGaw Graphics. All rights reserved.