Michael Hunter Abstract Art

General information

About me

I studied A level art at Blackpool and the Fylde College where I learnt the fundamentals of drawing and painting. These early years were very much influenced by the countryside which I lived and grew up in. I had a keen enthusiasm to get out and translate this scenery into sketches and finished paintings. I progressed my work further by studying at the Cumbria College of art and design where I took on a fine art bachelor’s degree. My style moved dramatically from a traditional approach to a kind of semi abstract expressionist style of landscape painting. I was influenced by working next to and being involved with other artists. The first thing that changed within my approach to art was the use of colour and how I became aware of its power. I experimented with different ideas and I always strived to push my art further into new and undiscovered areas. I eventually found my style moving towards total abstraction which felt and to this day feels right for me.

I am a professional contemporary artist and I specialize in abstract painting and collage. My unique style is colourful, striking and thought provoking. The immediate impression on viewing my art is the sense of space and depth that is created by the way the abstract forms, shapes and colours appear to be floating in a space. They become three dimensional and similar to sculpture.
I studied A level art at Blackpool and the Fylde College where I learnt the fundamentals of drawing and painting. These early years were very much influenced by the countryside which I lived and grew up in. I had a keen enthusiasm to get out and translate this scenery into sketches and finished paintings. I progressed my work further by studying at the Cumbria College of art and design where I took on a fine art bachelor’s degree. My style moved dramatically from a traditional approach to a kind of semi abstract expressionist style of landscape painting. I was influenced by working next to and being involved with other artists. The first thing that changed within my approach to art was the use of colour and how I became aware of its power. I experimented with different ideas and I always strived to push my art further into new and undiscovered areas. I eventually found my style moving towards total abstraction which felt and to this day feels right for me.

My work involves experimenting and trying out new techniques. By doing this I have found a style that works well for me and allows me to create many different variations without repeating or copying the previous work. I like to begin the process by painting or placing simple geometric, flat shapes on to the work surface. I use a limited pallet of complimentary colours and combinations that may be unusual and innovative in other words instead of a basic orange tone I would mix a burnt orange and set it off against a teal blue. Once the initial base layers have been laid down I then collage segments on top to form interesting compositions. I am looking to achieve movement, depth and balance within each finished work. Hard edge painting works well for me in the early stages of the creating process as it allows me to have a starting point from which enhance and try to further improve each time a new layer or brush mark is put down. Each segment that makes up a piece is an abstract in its own right.

The finished piece

The first thing that is noticed within my work is the space behind the focal area. This was an important decision for this first series of works for me as I wanted to create a sense of space and depth within the work and maybe try something different. The space allows the colours, forms and shapes to breathe and gives a three dimensional almost sculpture like appearance to my art. I also think this space is important as it breaks up the colours from the environment which it may be placed into. As well as enhancing the room the work draws the viewer in and this is where things start to happen. Close up the colours and shapes get more interesting. Things start to appear and imagination takes over. There are miniature abstracts within larger abstracts and an exciting visual of shape and colour. I would say my style is just about where I would like it to be right now. I don’t have many rules, other than to make sure the work is clean and that I am totally happy with the finished piece.