Michael Freeman
New Zealand
Michael Freeman (Biography)
Michael is an international award winning artist from New Zealand who has had a fascination with realism since childhood and his main medium is pastel. In his artwork he strives to create images that have greater depth and feeling than can be achieved with a photograph.
Michael is in the Master Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS/MC), is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), and a Distinguished Artist of Pastel Artists of New Zealand (DPANZ), and has a Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA).
Michael went to Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, to be a painter and left a product designer. However after a successful design career in 2010 he decided to return to his passion for painting.
Starting initially with acrylics, before discovering the wonderful medium of pastel – which suits his photo-realistic style and love of detail.
Michael’s subjects range from his current series of still life paintings featuring iconic New Zealand toys and objects, through - landscapes featuring old weathered sheds, barns, railway carriages, windows and doors, old locks, and farm animals (mainly cows) – all inspired from photographic trips along New Zealand's roads.
Awards/Exhibitions
Make Your Mark! August 2020
Pastel Society of Southern California (PSSC)
Online Show/Exhibition
2020 Pastel Society of America July 2020
48th Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance!
Online Show
1st Place Scapes August 2020
The Pastel Society of Australia
On-Line Annual Exhibition 2020
3rd Place Still Life August 2020
The Pastel Society of Australia
On-Line Annual Exhibition 2020
Distinguished Member PANZ July 2020
SUPREME AWARD (Unison Cup) March 2020
Pastel Artists of New Zealand
(PANZ) National Exhibition 2020
(Purely Pastel PANZ National Exhibition)
Butler Institute of America Exhibition December 2019
Youngstown Ohio
2019 Pastel Society of America July 2019
47th Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance!
Master Circle status with IAPS June 2019
The Maggie Price Award of Excellence June 2019
in the 34th IAPS Juried Exhibition – The 2019
IAPS Thirteenth Bienniel Convention,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
34th IAPS Tutors Exhibition – The 2019 June 2019
IAPS Convention Pastel World Exhibition
SIGNATURE MEMBER PSA March 2019
Elected Signature Member of the
Pastel Society of America
Purely Pastel PANZ 18th National Exhibition March 2019
Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford, New Zealand
HONORABLE MENTION April 2019
Richeson75 Still Life & Floral
Online Exhibition - 'UFO's'
33rd IAPS Juried Exhibition – The 2018 November 2018
Web Show
HONORABLE MENTION October 2018
20th Annual Pastel 100 Competition
In the Still Life + Floral Category
MERIT AWARD April 2018
PANZ 2018 National Exhibition
(Purely Pastel PANZ National Exhibition)
BRONZE AWARD December 2017
31st IAPS Juried Exhibition – 2017
'The 2017 Web Show'
Publications
Pastel Journal June 2019
8 Page Feature Article - A Realistic Approach
Richeson75 Still Life & Floral 2019
Pastel Journal April 2019
* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 15th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.
