michaeljgaines@gmail.com
A native of Arkansas, my family roots are in the Ozarks. My ancestors lived for generations in the southern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. I lived there as a child and spent much of my formative years there. I also lived in the southwest area of the Mississippi Delta. In 2021, following the passing of my wife of 39 years, I relocated from Little Rock, Arkansas, to California to be close to my son, Mike.
I have been painting for over 50 years and my self-taught art is reflective of my many years of living. Trained as an attorney, I spent over a decade in Washington, D.C. with the U. S. Department of Justice and the judicial branch of government. I retired as an attorney a few years ago and have been painting full-time ever since. I divide my time between homes in the Hollywood Hills West area of LA, and Lake Arrowhead. Many of my works have focused on my surroundings - the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Strip, the mountain scenes in and around Lake Arrowhead, and the endless SoCal locations I want to paint. I also paint works inspired by my Southern roots - the gorgeous Ozarks, rural scenes, Delta blues and the Delta-influenced rock and blues I grew up loving.
I paint primarily in acrylics. I also enjoy exploring new techniques and working with stains, collage, and acrylic-enhanced artist prints. My most recent exhibition ended on October 10 with 23 music-inspired works at the Song-Word Art House on the Sunset Strip. Other exhibitions include a 2022-23 show at Galerie XII in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, the Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, and the ArtPrize Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have paintings in personal and corporate collections from Washington, D.C. to Beijing.