Artist Biography

“I am fascinated by pencil drawing – it is the basis of all art”

Michael Bligh lives and works in Tamworth and Sydney, NSW Australia.

From an early age Michael had a natural inclination and ability towards drawing and painting. Coming from a family with a strong artistic leaning meant he was exposed to many different artistic influences from an early age.

Michael seeks inspiration from his everyday life, including the natural landscape of the New England region in New South Wales, as well as overseas trips to Europe, friends and family. He is also inspired by the works of fellow Australian landscape artists,  John Glover and Lloyd Rees.

The process of drawing itself and the magic of successfully capturing an image on paper constantly inspire Michael. The majority of his works are finely detailed and intricate, creating photo realistic images that require immense patience and technical competency from the artist.

Michael is adept across a variety of media including watercolours, pen and ink and oil, however he returns time and time again to the purity of pencil and graphite as the primary means of his artistic expression.

Biography:

• 2000:  Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney
• 2002-2011: Tamworth Community College Art Classes (Watercolour, acrylic, drawing)
• 2005: Mountford Art School, Longford, Tasmania: Watercolour course with Tony Smibert
• 2006:  Bathurst Summer Art School (Barry & Lucy McCann), Bathurst, NSW
• 2007: Bathurst Winter Art School, Bathurst, NSW
• 2009: Short Courses with Bronwyn Woodley Graham, Tamworth, NSW & Barry & Lucy McCann, Armidale, NSW

Group Exhibitions:

• 2005: New England Girls’ School Art Exhibition, Armidale, NSW
• 2006-2011: Tamworth Community College bi-annual Exhibition, (Awarded 2nd place in 2011 People’s Choice winner for ‘Moree Garden’), Tamworth, NSW
• 2008-2009: Currabubula Art Show, (Awarded 2008 Highly Commended ‘Mullenroo Gresford’), Currabubula, NSW
• 2010: Tamworth Regional Art Gallery, Tamworth, NSW
• 2011: Group Exhibition, Cupitt’s Winery Ulladulla, NSW
• 2012: Group Exhibition, Cupitt’s Winery, Ulladulla, NSW
• 2016: Currabubula Art Show, Currabubula, NSW