Michael Van
Michael Van
Michael Van was born in Dallas in 1984 and received a BS in Physics from Santa Clara University. Van studied painting electively at Santa Clara University, the Academy of Art San Francisco, and the Art Institute of Chicago. After working in Hospitality Marketing for ten years, Michael became a full-time artist in 2022. Drawing inspiration from Edward Hopper and artists associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement, such as Richard Diebenkorn and David Park, Michael’s work conveys his interest in contrasting light and shadow and flattening and simplifying objects. Working from photographic references, often old vintage motel postcards, Michael depicts scenes of leisure featuring families, water, and subtle narratives. His improvisational approach to painting allows him to honor his direct observations by making decisions and adjustments during the painting process rather than making revisions to a preconceived image. Michael lives in Euless, TX, with his wife, Jana, and their cat, Pickles.
