A figure, portrait, and western scene painter, Michael Blessing grew up in rural Montana, "surrounded by the land, the people, and the usual conglomeration of machinery." He pursued a Master's degree in Music Arts, and then spent thirty years as the owner of a recording studio and as a working musician and related production and engineering.

Taking an interest in shapes within composition, he followed his interest in figure and portrait painting, focusing especially on unexpected everyday moments and emotions that seem universally relevant and on strong compositions, vibrant color and bold lines. Many of his paintings are vintage Western nostalgia. He also does commissioned portraits and illustrations

Exhibitions include the C.M. Russell Museum, Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show, Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson, and Whitefish, Montana Invitationals. He has public art installations in downtown Bozeman Montana, and Big Sky Montana.

Among his workshop teachers are Robert Moore, Josh Elliot, Peggy Kroll, and Ralph Weigman.

Source:
Ralph Blessing web, March 2015