Michael
Battaglia

BATTAGLIA STUDIOS


About Michael Battaglia

Michael Paul Battaglia’s artwork is inspired by a lifetime of passion for the ancient world.

His fantasy landscape, cityscape and Still Life paintings reflect his extensive travel in the U.S., Europe and Africa. Italy holds endless fascination for the artist—the hill towns, ancient ruins and landscapes find their way into many of his paintings. Most recently he has been doing a series of abstract pieces, yet they are still clearly recognizable as Battaglia paintings.

With skill developed over a half century of painting, Battaglia brings his fantasies and memories to life. Beginning with Venetian plaster on burlap (sometimes canvas), he layers paints, powders, glazes, flowers, glass, found objects and a variety of other materials to create large scale, textural paintings. He often inscribes what he calls “Sgraffito” into the plaster. Christian and indigenous cultural symbolism, Biblical text and writings from antiquity are often employed, but most of the time the writings are not intended to be read.

Almost always the edges of Mr. Battaglia’s paintings are left ragged, so the work looks old—as if it was cut out of an ancient castle or church. He is able to capture the play of light on European “old-world” surfaces. That “graceful aged look” is his specialty. A master with glazes and leafings, many of his paintings seem to glow. People often wonder if the artist has painted on stone or metal because he is able to create that illusion.

Painting from the heart, infused into the work is a deep and abiding love for God.

Beginning his career as a graphic artist, Michael quickly moved into restoration, decorative finishes and murals. He has been doing commissions, sometimes creating whole walls and ceilings in trompe l’oeil, for the rich and famous from New York City to Beverly Hills ever since, including the Venetian hotel, resort & casino in Las Vegas.

Mr Battaglia has been represented by various Galleries since receiving his MFA in 1974 including Polly Friedlander in Seattle and Eckenroth Gallery in Vail, Colorado. Since that time his work has been sold to enthusiastic collectors across the United States and Canada.

Michael finding inspiration in Africa


Resume

Strong foundation in expressive arts, decorative arts, and construction arts. Utilizes variety of materials to create large scale pieces in various interior and exterior contexts. Specializes in themes related to Christian symbolism, Italian landscapes, African tribal practices, Southwest Native American cultures...

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Artist Statement

We seek the truth lost from our embrace, ever so high in the high country. My desire is to connect to that first spark of imagination, this collaboration of God and man to inspire and bring hope and love. My desire is you will be inspired by my work and fall in love with this vision and imagination...

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In The Press

These days you just can’t trust your own eyes. Those bronze cranes in the lobby with the verdigris finish? They’re made of wood. That aged plaster surface? Painted last seek. And those marble columns at the museum? The work of a talented painter....

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ARTIST Quote

In the chiaroscuro of our lives, the pathway to hope, happiness, and love is painting the picture deep inside.

Michael Paul Battaglia - Fine Artist