Michael W - Florida Caricature Artists

Michael was born in 1964. He discovered art at age 2 and never stopped drawing. Though born in California Michael was raised in S.C. With the help of local community Parks and Recreation Art programs Michael managed to survive his developmental years. He started freelancing at age 14 after gaining recognition for a mural he had painted at a local church. The mural prompted newspaper coverage and suddenly a job as a courtroom sketch artist. That became the start of Michael's 'quick draw' career.

At age 17 he began work as a pastel portrait artist at Carowinds amusement park at the border of SC and NC. That fall scholarships, grants and loans allowed Michael to attend the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota Florida. In art school he began doing freelance work for Marvel Comics, Hyatt Hotel, and Delta Airlines.  Michael graduated with honors,  taking awards in national art competitions and was work published in nationally distributed magazines.

Since then Michael lived in Connecticut and returned to Florida accumulating experience as an artist and art teacher. His client list includes Tropicana, DC Comics, Topps Comics, Yale University, Amoco Oil, Florida Power and Light and Pepsi Cola. Between freelance jobs and tons of caricature work he teaches Pastels, Illustration and Caricaturing at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota where he joyfully resides.