About Michael John Cavanagh

Started drawing at five. Dreamed of working for Disney, until I saw the Great Master's work. After ded the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (night/Sat) while working full time for GTE. Promotions and military service, then later I was transferred to the East coast office, Industrial Sales, GTE. I discovered an art gallery that represented Mr. Paul Lipp (trompe l'oeil ) who taught at the Paier College of Art (night). Professor Lipp became my mentor and teacher. In 1980, I moved back to the mid-west and began an art career.

Thru out the 80s and 90s I received many awards, shows and exhibits. Then in 2000, my wife was diagnosed with a very serious disease, so we had to sell our home and I became her full time caregiver. Returning to sales and associate work at a big box store. We needed more money to sustain her medical bills and meds. She passed in 2010, and I returned to my easel and oil painting.

Remembering my life drawing instructor, Professor Zweerts, who so admired my work as Michelangelo inspired , but informed me that I was unfortunately born 200 years to late.
Years later in Connecticut, my first wife urged me to attend night class at Paier, which happened to be approved for GI benefits.....I went and fine tuned my skills. After a number of Trompe L'oeil paintings, I encompassed impressionism, and mix the two.