Simon Michael is considered the Grandfather of the Rockport Art Community in Rockport, Texas, and many consider his influence to spread throughout South Texas as an artist, teacher, and philosopher. Extremely well-traveled, Michael settled in Rockport in 1948, starting the Simon Michael School of Fine Art. He spent his time teaching and mentoring young artists all over the Coastal Bend, and his classes continued to gain in popularity.

Among Michael's students was the Texas State Artist Dalhart Windberg, whose enduring career began by selling his first painting on the Fulton Coast while studying with Michael. Notable colleagues such as Lincoln Borglum, who had completed the Mt. Rushmore work begun by his father, became dear friends o...