Michael Cerveny

I paint what's in my head - what I see

My exposure to art began at an early age from my mother, Betty Cerveny, a realist painter, who introduced me to the concept that art can be created on many different levels. On a grade school field trip to the Toledo Museum of Art I was drawn to the paintings of the Modern Masters, particularly the Abstract Expressionists. This made me realize that my mother was right. Years later, with formal training at the University of Toledo, which included printmaking under the genius of Peter Elloian, I was able to further develop the style of working with emotion. Through the philosophical teachings of my mentor, Richard Reed, art became more than just a picture, it is a means of expression through color, composition and images.

This has enabled me to draw from the realism in my mind evoking emotions that translate into abstract images. Using color is a powerful vehicle of expressing my emotions.

Working large inserts me into the piece, opening the doorway into my subconscious. It allows the viewer also to be drawn into the painting and not just see "a picture."

With midwestern roots and a western soul, I am an abstract expressionist now based in Tucson, Arizona. Artwork can be specially commissioned or purchased from his existing library of art.