The son of a fifth generation stone mason, Lon Michels learned perspective from his fathers work. Michels grew up in the small Midwestern town of Marquette, Wisconsin and followed his mother’s artistic lead early on. “I remember that she would throw flowers in a pattern across the floor and then make paintings of them”. After graduating from Ripon College he moved to New York City as a working artist. His breakthrough occurred when he was hired by the late sculptor Louise Nevelson, with whom he worked as a studio assistant for 5 years.
“In my lifetime I have learned that the best way to grow and learn is to share your experiences with others. In order to obtain knowledge I believe one must be able to give freely, which is a simple essence that all true artists do.”
“I have had many great teachers in my life, including my professors at Ripon College and more recently the University of Wisconsin Madison. I was also greatly influenced by the working with Louise Nevelson and Mark Kostabi in New York City. These teachers and their methods to educate myself has made my life experiences not only as an artist but also as a human being.”
“As an artist I want to create timelessness, a presence…I approach each piece as if it were a true masterpiece that catches the twinkle in my eye as if it were going to be placed in a museum.”
When you look at Lon Michels’ paintings you see Lon Michels.
Lon Patrick Michels
Education:
Undergraduate – Ripon College
Masters of Fine Arts – University of Wisconsin Madison Graduate School
Major: Art, Anthropology
Minor: Sociology
Contact:
Email: lonmchls@gmail.com
Phone: 608-370-3762
Address:
9261 County Road Y
Sauk City, WI 53583
Lon Michels Stone House
2007 Joan Mitchell Award Nomination