Scent of Penuel (Sailing with Orion), oil and mixed media on canvas
Michael McKenzie
Artist Statement
For years my work dealt with issues of Duality......Gravity/Levity Doubt/Faith Life/Death Comedy/Tragedy Fact/Fiction Age/Youth Male/Female Conscious/Unconscious Intellectual/Intuitive Micro/Macro Timeless/Fleeting Transcendence/ Earthly
Recently I have been interested in thoughts of Unity Consciousness ....that everything is connected. I am humbly open to experiences of creativity, flow, and love.
I often use buried images in my paintings hidden under luminous layers of pigment. A subtle curve here or a nuance of color there might serve as a reminder of past thoughts and ideas.
I'm interested in the expressive handling of paint that reveals an exuberance and vitality of the creative act in my facture.
There are references to Cosmology….Quantum Physics ...Myths....Astronomical Phenomenon...Weather....Archaeology…Comparative Religion…Time and Cycles ….Anthropology…Consciousness ….Archetypes...Synchronicity...Synesthesia...Psycho-Navigation…Water…..Earth…..Fire…..Wind…..
I employ a menagerie of personal symbols and characters as well as allow the appearance of symbols
from other cultures that interest me. I use dream imagery and snippets of stories or folk tales mixed
with intuitively invented shapes to create painterly, colorful, highly textured works that hopefully reveal
their meaning slowly and on many levels. I encourage the viewer to bring their own set of experiences
and interpretations to the work and aim to seduce them into multiple viewings and varied perceptions.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
M.F.A. Major: Painting and Drawing; Minor: Sculpture - University of North Texas
B.F.A. Major: Painting; Minor: Graphics, Art History - Stephen F. Austin State University
Graduated: summa cum laude
Graduate studies in painting University of Arkansas
Post graduate school classes in Metal Sculpture/Welding, Jewelry, and Educational
Strategies in Web-site design....
Creative Art Center of Dallas, Brookhaven College and The University of Dallas
Seminar in Art Education - University of North Texas
Workshops
Set Sand Bronze Casting - Stephen F. Austin State University
Texas/Oklahoma Iron Pour - Cameron University
Fused Glass workshop - Creative Art Center of Dallas
Internship Fall 2010
Earthship Sustainable Architecture
Global Model Home Project
Big Timber, Montana
Professional Experience - Teaching
2013-2015 Fine Arts Teacher, Christ The King Catholic School Dallas, Texas, Upper School Art
1999-2010 Fine Arts Instructor, Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, Texas, Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Eastfield College, Mesquite, Texas, Dual enrollment classes: Painting and Drawing I and II, Sculpture I and II, Introduction to Art Design/Art History, Portfolio Presentation Class
2003-2015 Faculty - Summer Enrichment program DECATS, (Debusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Students), Taught: Painting, Sculpture, and Set Design
1983-1987 Teaching Fellowship University Of North Texas, Teacher of Record (course content, lectures, and grading), Drawing I, Drawing II, Figure Drawing I & II
Professional Experience
2010-2014 Michael McKenzie Studio, FM 1641 Talty, Texas, Fine Art painting and sculpture
2011-2013 Pinot's Palette, Painting instructor in the Paint and Sip industry
1990- 1999 Have Brush will Travel, Artist/Painter – Murals, Faux Finish, Furniture Design, Welded Steel, Bronze Casting, Wood Carving, Wallpaper, Custom Painted Floors and Interiors.
1988-1990 An Affair to Remember, Artist/Designer Special Events Firm, Painted Sets and Props, Designed Neon Sculpture, Lighting Design
Highlight events: Del Coronado Hotel San Diego 100 year anniversary event
Super Bowl Media Party
La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art Beaux Arts Ball
Republican National Convention- New Orleans G.H.W. Bush event
1988-1990 500x Gallery Board Vice President, Alternative gallery space in Dallas, TX curator, installation, wrote press release, organized openings
1986-1987 American Art and Frame (Publishing Division) Production artist worked with Art Department producing a variety of large scale two and three- dimensional art work for commercial galleries in Boston, Miami and Dallas. Publication Research and Development
Exhibition Record (*Solo Shows)
2015 Chaos!!! 2015 small works Ro2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
Listen: to the songs of the times group show at The Small Gallery, Dallas, TX
White Linen at Times Ten Cellars auction event to benefit homeless solutions at The Bridge
125 Plano Art Association 10th Annual Juried Show The Arts Gallery, Collin College Spring Creek Campus
Sincerely Yours art postcard exhibit at Slant Gallery, Dallas, TX
2014 24 Hours in Creative Motion, Nerv Gallery, Dallas, TX
Art Con X art auction to benefit Dallas Arts Organizations
Song... a music inspired exhibit The Small Gallery, Dallas, TX
Compulsions, Slant Gallery, Dallas, TX
2013 This is What I Think: An Opinionated Art Exhibit, Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
Frayed Elements Surface Tension and Eye Candy, Cohn Drennan Contemporary, Dallas, TX
White Linen at Times Ten Cellars, auction event to benefit homeless solutions at The Bridge
2012 Hot-N-Sweaty 500X Gallery
2011 125 Plano Art Association 6th Annual Juried Show, The Arts Gallery, Collin College Spring Creek Campus
2000 *Two Dog Years A 14 year survey of Painting and Sculpture, ROCA Gallery, Room of Contemporary Art, Irving, TX July 28-September 29, 2000
1999 *Art Salad Al Fresco evenings of Dance, Theater, and Visual Art. Paintings and Sculpture April 31- March 1, 1999 Addison Theatre Centre Lobby Addison, TX
*20 X 500 Views from a Dallas Warehouse 20th Anniversary Show 500X Gallery "catalogue" The Art Center of Waco Nov 12, 1998- January 10, 1999, Richland College, Dallas Oct 14- Nov 6, 1998, 500X Gallery, Dallas Sept 12- Oct 11, 1998
*Michael McKenzie Recent Paintings curator: Kevin Curry, Half Price Books Gallery Lincoln Center, Arlington TX
1998 *Selected Works paintings Curator Glenn Nerwin of NRH Gallery, GTE Corporate Headquarters Irving, TX
1997 *Michael McKenzie Recent Paintings and Sculpture NRH Gallery Tarrant County, TX
*M.A.C. Member's Exhibition group show McKinney Avenue Contemporary Dallas, TX
1996 Annual Art Show Dallas Public Library (Lakewood) "Best of Show" jurors Barney Delabano and Murray Smither
1994 Exquisite Corpse Exhibit with Frank Brown and D.M.A. Brown M.A.C. (McKinney Ave. Contemporary) Dallas, TX
1990 15 from 500 group show 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
Pivotal Signals group show curator Kevin Curry, Hickory Street Annex, Dallas, TX
1989 A Family of Artists to benefit Downtown Family Shelter 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
Michael McKenzie/ Mike Kennedy two man show 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
*Song of the Psyche Suite one man show 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
1988 Early Works for Late Shoppers (not a starving artist sale) 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Art Quake '88! La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla, CA
1987 Distinctive Vision II curated by Kevin Curry and Murray Camp Alternate Gallery Dallas, TX
1986 Song of the Psyche M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, University of North Texas Gallery, Denton, TX
1985 Day of the Dead National Invitational Juried by Jack Mims, Cameron University Art Gallery Lawton, OK
Graduate Painting Exhibit, Union Gallery group show, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Voertman Show, juried by Sue Graze, University of North Texas Gallery, Denton, TX
Texas Sculpture Symposium Exhibition, Connemarra Conservancy, Plano, TX May 3- June 24
1984 Great Buffalo Show National Invitational juried by Dave Hickey, Cameron University Art Gallery, Lawton, OK
Counterpoint three man show, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Voertman Show juried by Murray Smither, University of North Texas gallery, Denton, TX
New Visions Group show, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
1983 Lots of Work open invitational 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Reflections group show Fine Arts Gallery, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Artist Statement
For years my work dealt with issues of Duality......Gravity/Levity Doubt/Faith Life/Death Comedy/Tragedy Fact/Fiction Age/Youth Male/Female Conscious/Unconscious Intellectual/Intuitive Micro/Macro Timeless/Fleeting Transcendence/ Earthly
Recently I have been interested in thoughts of Unity Consciousness ....that everything is connected. I am humbly open to experiences of creativity, flow, and love.
I often use buried images in my paintings hidden under luminous layers of pigment. A subtle curve here or a nuance of color there might serve as a reminder of past thoughts and ideas.
I'm interested in the expressive handling of paint that reveals an exuberance and vitality of the creative act in my facture.
There are references to Cosmology….Quantum Physics ...Myths....Astronomical Phenomenon...Weather....Archaeology…Comparative Religion…Time and Cycles ….Anthropology…Consciousness ….Archetypes...Synchronicity...Synesthesia...Psycho-Navigation…Water…..Earth…..Fire…..Wind…..
I employ a menagerie of personal symbols and characters as well as allow the appearance of symbols
from other cultures that interest me. I use dream imagery and snippets of stories or folk tales mixed
with intuitively invented shapes to create painterly, colorful, highly textured works that hopefully reveal
their meaning slowly and on many levels. I encourage the viewer to bring their own set of experiences
and interpretations to the work and aim to seduce them into multiple viewings and varied perceptions.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
M.F.A. Major: Painting and Drawing; Minor: Sculpture - University of North Texas
B.F.A. Major: Painting; Minor: Graphics, Art History - Stephen F. Austin State University
Graduated: summa cum laude
Graduate studies in painting University of Arkansas
Post graduate school classes in Metal Sculpture/Welding, Jewelry, and Educational
Strategies in Web-site design....
Creative Art Center of Dallas, Brookhaven College and The University of Dallas
Seminar in Art Education - University of North Texas
Workshops
Set Sand Bronze Casting - Stephen F. Austin State University
Texas/Oklahoma Iron Pour - Cameron University
Fused Glass workshop - Creative Art Center of Dallas
Internship Fall 2010
Earthship Sustainable Architecture
Global Model Home Project
Big Timber, Montana
Professional Experience - Teaching
2013-2015 Fine Arts Teacher, Christ The King Catholic School Dallas, Texas, Upper School Art
1999-2010 Fine Arts Instructor, Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, Texas, Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Eastfield College, Mesquite, Texas, Dual enrollment classes: Painting and Drawing I and II, Sculpture I and II, Introduction to Art Design/Art History, Portfolio Presentation Class
2003-2015 Faculty - Summer Enrichment program DECATS, (Debusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Students), Taught: Painting, Sculpture, and Set Design
1983-1987 Teaching Fellowship University Of North Texas, Teacher of Record (course content, lectures, and grading), Drawing I, Drawing II, Figure Drawing I & II
Professional Experience
2010-2014 Michael McKenzie Studio, FM 1641 Talty, Texas, Fine Art painting and sculpture
2011-2013 Pinot's Palette, Painting instructor in the Paint and Sip industry
1990- 1999 Have Brush will Travel, Artist/Painter – Murals, Faux Finish, Furniture Design, Welded Steel, Bronze Casting, Wood Carving, Wallpaper, Custom Painted Floors and Interiors.
1988-1990 An Affair to Remember, Artist/Designer Special Events Firm, Painted Sets and Props, Designed Neon Sculpture, Lighting Design
Highlight events: Del Coronado Hotel San Diego 100 year anniversary event
Super Bowl Media Party
La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art Beaux Arts Ball
Republican National Convention- New Orleans G.H.W. Bush event
1988-1990 500x Gallery Board Vice President, Alternative gallery space in Dallas, TX curator, installation, wrote press release, organized openings
1986-1987 American Art and Frame (Publishing Division) Production artist worked with Art Department producing a variety of large scale two and three- dimensional art work for commercial galleries in Boston, Miami and Dallas. Publication Research and Development
Exhibition Record (*Solo Shows)
2015 Chaos!!! 2015 small works Ro2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
Listen: to the songs of the times group show at The Small Gallery, Dallas, TX
White Linen at Times Ten Cellars auction event to benefit homeless solutions at The Bridge
125 Plano Art Association 10th Annual Juried Show The Arts Gallery, Collin College Spring Creek Campus
Sincerely Yours art postcard exhibit at Slant Gallery, Dallas, TX
2014 24 Hours in Creative Motion, Nerv Gallery, Dallas, TX
Art Con X art auction to benefit Dallas Arts Organizations
Song... a music inspired exhibit The Small Gallery, Dallas, TX
Compulsions, Slant Gallery, Dallas, TX
2013 This is What I Think: An Opinionated Art Exhibit, Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
Frayed Elements Surface Tension and Eye Candy, Cohn Drennan Contemporary, Dallas, TX
White Linen at Times Ten Cellars, auction event to benefit homeless solutions at The Bridge
2012 Hot-N-Sweaty 500X Gallery
2011 125 Plano Art Association 6th Annual Juried Show, The Arts Gallery, Collin College Spring Creek Campus
2000 *Two Dog Years A 14 year survey of Painting and Sculpture, ROCA Gallery, Room of Contemporary Art, Irving, TX July 28-September 29, 2000
1999 *Art Salad Al Fresco evenings of Dance, Theater, and Visual Art. Paintings and Sculpture April 31- March 1, 1999 Addison Theatre Centre Lobby Addison, TX
*20 X 500 Views from a Dallas Warehouse 20th Anniversary Show 500X Gallery "catalogue" The Art Center of Waco Nov 12, 1998- January 10, 1999, Richland College, Dallas Oct 14- Nov 6, 1998, 500X Gallery, Dallas Sept 12- Oct 11, 1998
*Michael McKenzie Recent Paintings curator: Kevin Curry, Half Price Books Gallery Lincoln Center, Arlington TX
1998 *Selected Works paintings Curator Glenn Nerwin of NRH Gallery, GTE Corporate Headquarters Irving, TX
1997 *Michael McKenzie Recent Paintings and Sculpture NRH Gallery Tarrant County, TX
*M.A.C. Member's Exhibition group show McKinney Avenue Contemporary Dallas, TX
1996 Annual Art Show Dallas Public Library (Lakewood) "Best of Show" jurors Barney Delabano and Murray Smither
1994 Exquisite Corpse Exhibit with Frank Brown and D.M.A. Brown M.A.C. (McKinney Ave. Contemporary) Dallas, TX
1990 15 from 500 group show 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
Pivotal Signals group show curator Kevin Curry, Hickory Street Annex, Dallas, TX
1989 A Family of Artists to benefit Downtown Family Shelter 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
Michael McKenzie/ Mike Kennedy two man show 500X Gallery Dallas, TX
*Song of the Psyche Suite one man show 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
1988 Early Works for Late Shoppers (not a starving artist sale) 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Art Quake '88! La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla, CA
1987 Distinctive Vision II curated by Kevin Curry and Murray Camp Alternate Gallery Dallas, TX
1986 Song of the Psyche M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, University of North Texas Gallery, Denton, TX
1985 Day of the Dead National Invitational Juried by Jack Mims, Cameron University Art Gallery Lawton, OK
Graduate Painting Exhibit, Union Gallery group show, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Voertman Show, juried by Sue Graze, University of North Texas Gallery, Denton, TX
Texas Sculpture Symposium Exhibition, Connemarra Conservancy, Plano, TX May 3- June 24
1984 Great Buffalo Show National Invitational juried by Dave Hickey, Cameron University Art Gallery, Lawton, OK
Counterpoint three man show, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Voertman Show juried by Murray Smither, University of North Texas gallery, Denton, TX
New Visions Group show, Union Gallery, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
1983 Lots of Work open invitational 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Reflections group show Fine Arts Gallery, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
