Oakland Airport by Michael Thornton in Oakland

Michael's work usually begins with a concept inspired by an experience. It may be a song he's heard, a poem, seeing a sunrise, a random Idea or a dream. He then proceeds to a pencil or charcoal thumbnail sketch, then to a full-size drawing, and finishes with acrylic and oil. A basic tenant of his work is to communicate the knowledge that to see life as solely material is to miss its essence entirely. The directions his work takes are addressing spiritual concepts, making statements, and posing questions to the viewer. These are questions humanity has pondered since the beginning, and are as timeless and paradoxical as an ancient future. The scapes and still life paintings mainly point to the incredible beauty and majesty that surrounds us, even in the mundane.