Michael Owen Thomas

I am inspired by beauty and resonate with truth.

While I take great pleasure in immersing myself in the beauty of nature, my work focuses mainly on the beauty inherent in people, whether it be portrait or figure. I have always been compelled to depict my subjects realistically and detailed, yet somewhat idealized. Each person has inherent value and I want to present them at their best. That said, my most successful work contains an element of storytelling, including one that is allegorical. This is where I see my work headed. These images illustrate a concept about humanity’s physical, emotional, mental or spiritual state.

I believe that I have been entrusted with certain gifts and talents and that I am responsible to cultivate and use those in order to find fulfillment. This takes discipline and commitment to develop a routine that leads to growth. Probably the most noticeable of these gifts is expressed in the artistic realm. From a very early age, it was evident that I possessed unique abilities in drawing. Many hours were spent drawing in my childhood. Without even being aware, I was training my eyes and hands. At some point I began to observe the work of others, whose skills were at a higher level than mine. My own work progressed as I tried to emulate their quality and style. I take this same approach to photography. I want to be technically proficient while being artistically expressive.