Artist Michael Tomassoni grew up along the Potomac River collecting fossils, and other fascinating objects the tides brought to shore. In high school, Michael moved to a community along the Chesapeake Bay where he lives today. These bodies of water and the animals living in and around them inspired and continues to inspire his drawings which led to his Chesapeake Bay series and coloring books.
In 2006 he moved to Jacksonville Florida and studied drawing, painting, and printmaking at the University of North Florida. He was art director of their newspaper for three years, specializing in editorial cartoons and illustrating articles. Upon returning to Maryland, Michael began taking art classes in 2015 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in order to complete his BFA.
All along the way he has displayed and sold his art in many local art markets, student art shows and professional art galleries. In 2016 he won a scholarship for a four week artist in residence at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, Italy. This was a transformative experience for him, being surrounded by incredible architecture, masterful pieces of art, and getting the chance to work with ancient printmaking equipment.
Now he lives back near the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland. There, he studies natural landscapes, cityscapes, and animal life along the coast. This year an emphasis on scientific illustration themed subject matter and illustration style are going to be Michaels main focus.
In 2006 he moved to Jacksonville Florida and studied drawing, painting, and printmaking at the University of North Florida. He was art director of their newspaper for three years, specializing in editorial cartoons and illustrating articles. Upon returning to Maryland, Michael began taking art classes in 2015 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in order to complete his BFA.
All along the way he has displayed and sold his art in many local art markets, student art shows and professional art galleries. In 2016 he won a scholarship for a four week artist in residence at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, Italy. This was a transformative experience for him, being surrounded by incredible architecture, masterful pieces of art, and getting the chance to work with ancient printmaking equipment.
Now he lives back near the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland. There, he studies natural landscapes, cityscapes, and animal life along the coast. This year an emphasis on scientific illustration themed subject matter and illustration style are going to be Michaels main focus.
