American, b. 1964

Michael Harrell focuses on capturing natural light in both landscapes and cityscapes while working with nautical themes, especially the depiction of water. Harrel was born in Florida in 1964 and has been painting such nautical scenes since he was a child, publishing his first work at the age of seven. Harrell attended the University of Georgia, earning his BFA in graphic design. After college, Harrell was a freelance illustrator for Mastercard, American Express, and Paramount Pictures. During this time, Harrell exhibited with the Society of Illustrators at the Museum of American Illustration in New York. By the early 1990’s, Harrell was devoting himself to his own art full time.

Harrell works with both oil and watercolor, composing works reminiscent of American realists like Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer. He quietly observes coastal livelihoods from Nantucket to the Florida panhandle, recording real people in real environments with a depth of perception well beyond his years.

Harrell’s work can be found in the corporate collections of MasterCard and American Express, and has exhibited with the Salmagundi Club of New York, the Philadelphia Watercolor Club, and the North American Marine Arts Society. His art can also be found in the State of Florida Governor’s office as well as the Secretary of State’s office. In 2004, “The Artist Magazine” listed Harrell as one of the top 20 American artists to watch.