Michael Ireland has participated in the creative process for over fifty years beginning with his studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Under the direction of master instructor Irving Shapiro, he began to explore the efects of light and color through transparent watercolor. He soon developed a passion for the medium that continued throughout his life and career.

After school, Michael proceeded to live the proverbial artist’s life. In other words he was a painter, bartender, farmer, college staf member, poet, musician and cook finally building a successful career as founder of a design firm specializing in film and multimedia projection. Throughout this whole period, he continued to explore the exercise of painting through the medium of watercolor. In 2001, he turned his full attention to pursue a career as a professional fine artist. His passion for the medium became what is now his lifelong career. Michael’s painting style and technique challenges the scale and format associated with traditional transparent watercolor resulting in some of his recent works measuring up to over twenty feet in length. This process and approach has led to his artwork being placed in collections throughout the country.

He is a member of the National Watercolor Society and Illinois Watercolor Society. Recently, one of his works “Conifer”, received the Helen Browne Memorial Award at the 88th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Hudson River Valley Art Association. Michael’s home and studio is in Cary, Illinois.