'The painter, like the archaeologist, is a watcher, a supervisor of accident; patiently disturbing the surface of things until significant accident becomes apparent, recognising it, conserving this as best he can while provoking further accident. In this way a whole image, a ‘whatness', may with luck gradually emerge almost spontaneously” - Louis le Brocquy
You could say I have saltwater in my veins. I grew up on the shore of Long Island Sound in Connecticut; my bedroom faced east over the water towards the rising sun and, always an early riser, I stared in eager anticipation for it to silently break the horizon and flood my eyes with light. Every dawn was unique — the salt air, squawking gulls, the rhythmic hiss of waves lapping the beach below, the pungent aroma of low tide, and often the sonorous call of the foghorn at the nearby lighthouse. As a child I reveled in the infinite moods of sea and sky, and my early desire to paint was an outgrowth of that rich exposure. The artist creates from a wellspring of passion, and for me that passion is born of the sea and informs much of my work. I am rarely far from the water, so inspiration is always at hand.
Formal studies at The Rhode Island School of Design and The Art Students League in New York were followed by extensive study in galleries throughout Europe.
Michael Turner joined Fine Art America on December 1st, 2015.
