Michael Blessing spent his formative years in rural Montana, surrounded by the land, the people, and the usual conglomeration of machinery. After pursuing a Master's degree in Music Arts, he spent the next thirty years owning and running two recording studios and working in the music industry in the areas of performance, engineering, and recording. A self taught artist working in oil, Michael is primarily compelled by the shapes within a composition. Having discovered an initial inclination toward figurative painting, he favors a candid view of his subjects, often depicting unexpected everyday moments and emotions that are universally relevant. As a rule, Michael is drawn to strong compositions, vibrant color, and bold lines. His figurative work and paintings of vintage Western nostalgia are widely appealing and have an edgy quality that is both contemporary and timeless.