About

Michael D. McMath is a Michigan-based artist specializing in Venetian plaster, encaustics, custom canvas paintings, and performance art. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA and launched his faux finish company two years later. Mike has completed numerous mural, faux finish, gold leaf, and trompe l’oeil projects across the United States while maintaining a steady stream of commissioned and gallery artwork. The popularity of Venetian plaster as a commercial faux finish inspired Mike to incorporate the medium into his art. Eventually, his work evolved to focus predominantly on Venetian plaster applied on custom-made panels with touches of graphite or pastels. The plaster is meticulously layered, sanded, and burnished to create intricate and dynamic pieces. "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," Mike explains.

In 2006, Mike and his twin brother founded Empty Canvas, a performance art duo where Mike completes a canvas painting in two hours while singing along with his brother Scott, who plays guitar. They have performed from New York to Denver, raising money for charities and events through the sale of their paintings. "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," Mike shares. He believes that his performance pieces, Venetian plaster works, and encaustic creations all feed into each other, helping him continually grow as an artist.

In the past 12 years, Mike began working with encaustics after recognizing similarities to his Venetian plaster techniques. Encaustic art also relinquishes some control from the artist, leading to unforeseen and often delightful 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!" Mike says. In addition to his other artistic endeavors, Mike also offers custom canvas paintings, creating unique, personalized pieces for clients that capture memories, moments or loved ones in one-of-a-kind works of art.