Michael Cranford Biography

Born in 1964 in Southern California, Michael began drawing at an early age. Influenced by MC Escher, Michael spent the majority of his childhood working in pen and ink and also in photography during his rebellious teenage years. Michael studied art at The Bemis Academy of Art in Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as attended The Cottonwood Center For The Arts for several years, where he met his mentor, Master Oil Painter Chuck Mardosz from Poland. Together they traveled to Central America and eventually landed in Costa Rica.

After raising two boys Michael set off to live in the rain forests of Costa Rica. He designed and constructed his 3000 square foot studio and jungle home in the tropics of The Osa Peninsula, near Corcovado National Park. National Geographic calls Michael’s backyard the second most bio-diverse area in the world. Monkeys, toucans and parrots literally drop right out of the canopy above while he paints.

As a painter living in the rain forest Michael is inspired by the richness of the vivid colors that influence his life everyday. Through his art he has learned about himself, his life, and about his time spent on this wonderful planet. He believes that our environment is truly precious and hopes his artwork will inspire everyone to take notice of our surroundings: the trees, birds, plants, animals and marine life and act in a manner that compliments and preserves vs. destroys and compromises. We are all caretakers of this planet and Michael hopes his artwork will inspire everyone who has a chance to view it.

Michael also hosts art workshops and retreats from time to time for artists interested in escaping the hustle and bustle and allowing the sights, sounds and smells of the tropics to influence their art and their soul.

Michael spends his winters nine degrees north of the equator in Costa Rica and the remaining time traveling and at his studio on the dune edges of The National Seashore in Truro, Massachusetts. Visiting The Cape just two years ago, Michael fell in love with the history and charm of New England, especially Cape Cod. Whether Michael is peeking down quiet alleys in Ptown, plodding into a marsh at sunrise or taking a canoe trip out around Reyes Point, he is rarely far away from his camera, his canvas, and his music. Other than nature music is Michael’s number one inspiration as he relates his career as a painter to that of musicians.

Michael recently switched from Acrylic to Oils. Painting with Anne Packard one cool summer week Michael says, “Anne was more like therapy than actual painting. Looking beyond my technical background and learning to feel, versus think about my work is my new passion. Previously when I began a painting, I would get wrapped up in the thought process of composition, who would buy it, where would I sell it, etc. Now, when I start a piece, I will choose very interesting geometric compositions, but then it’s all feeling and very little thought”.