Michael D. McMath is a Michigan based artist that works in Venetian plaster and encaustics.  He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA and started his faux finish company two years later. Mike has completed countless mural, faux finish, gold leaf and trompe l’oeil projects across the United States while producing a steady stream of commission and gallery artwork. The popularity of Venetian plaster as a commercial faux finish inspired Mike to incorporate the medium into his art.  Eventually the work became predominantly Venetian plaster on custom made panels with a hint of graphite or pastels. The plaster is applied in countless layers of color, sanding and burnishing.  “I still get excited working on each piece since I don’t have total control! The application of this product can have a life of its own and I have to react and keep moving forward.”

In 2006 Mike, along with his twin brother, decided to do performance art and named it Empty Canvas.  Mike completes a canvas painting in two hours while singing along with his brother Scott on guitar. They have performed from New York to Denver raising money for charities and events through the sale of the painting. “Working on the canvases during the show is not only a passion but a study in color, shape, light and the reaction to the image.  Not just painting what you know of the image but painting what you see in the image.  I believe that the performance pieces, Venetian plaster pieces and encaustic feed each other and help to keep me developing as an artist.”

Mike began working with encaustics in the past 12 years after seeing many of the same properties as his Venetian work. This product also takes some of the control out of the artist’s hands and creates many unforeseen and pleasant results. “While great detail can be obtained with this medium I find the joy of working with encaustic is in the beautiful accidents. Seeing the material ‘find its way’ can feel like working without a safety net!”