Princess Street Gallery Presents:

About the Artist

Michael Hayes only recently discovered Harbour Island, Bahamas. But in a short time, has established himself as an important local artist. He paints the people of the island using the traditional techniques of the the oil painter. His canvases are large and arresting. The figures depicted are life-size. Obvious influences are the masters Rembrandt, Velazquez and Carravagio. Like them, his paintings demonstrate accurate draftsmanship, dramatic lighting, rich saturated colors and expressive brushwork. He has obviously studied their work very closely. More importantly, Hayes' paintings, like the masters, reveal a deep psychological insight into his subjects.

Hayes hails from the artists' community of Eureka, Northern California where he is a leading painter and instructor. He has mastered most genres of painting including still life and landscape. But is, perhaps, best known as a portrait painter. He has many commissioned portraits to his credit, including notable figures such as boxer Joe Frazier and Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott, Dave Casper and Jim Otto.

As an instructor, he emphasizes a classical approach to painting passed down from the great realist painters of the past. He has taught throughout the world including Portugal, Paris and Tokyo.

Due to an increased demand for Hayes' work, he is now issuing limited edition giclee prints of selected works.