Trompe L'Oeil

Michael James Riddet (1947-) Contemporary,

Medium: Acrylic on board
Image Size: 9.5” x 12.5”
Frame Size: 13.5” x 16.5”
Signature: Signed lower right
Price: $2800

Biography/Statement

Although best known for 30 years as a painter of natural history, a new direction began in 1997 when Riddet began exploring the techniques and history of Trompe l’Oeil painting.  Today, the majority of his easel work is in this style.

Born in Northwest England in 1947 on the southern fringe of England’s famed Lake District, Michael Riddet was surrounded by an environment that was to leave an indelible image of natural beauty.  His family emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Illinois in 1956.  It wasn’t until his early teens that a keen interest in painting was rekindled when introduced to the art collection hanging on the walls of his middle school walls, a collection amassed by the school principal, Nettie J. McKinnon with funds raised from magazine subscriptions sold by the students.  Each year, McKinnon would carefully select what she felt were “good” pieces of work from both American and European painters.  A portrait by John Singer Sargent was added and hung in Riddet’s art room in 1960. Today, the “Nettie J. McKinnon Collection of American Art” is priceless.

Being surrounded by great art in school and access to work of marine painter, Charles Vickery, who had a studio in the same town, were the catalysts that prompted Riddet to seriously think of pursuing an artistic journey.  Vickery encouraged the young artist, and regular Saturday morning studio chat sessions with other professional painters only heated the desire to paint full time.  Vickery’s philosophy was that it was possible to make a living at the easel if you are willing to make sacrifices and starve graciously. 

American painters who had the greatest early influence on Riddet were John Audubon and Andrew Wyeth, but Riddet’s preoccupation with this naturalistic realism and tight rendering did not fit in with the art worlds’ or university’s preoccupation with Modernism during the 60’s so he pursued a degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago in his other area of interest, the natural sciences.  This turned out to be a wise decision as he landed a day job job as artist/naturalist with a local forest preserve district designing exhibits, writing, lecturing and teaching environmental education.

His efforts turned to the easel at night painting natural history subjects for an ever increasing number of clients.  A big break came in 1975 when Emmett Reid Blake, Curator Emeritus of Birds at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History recommended to the Chicago Tribune Magazine that they use Riddet’s work to accompany a story on birds of the Midwest.  At the same time, the dean of Canadian bird painters, Terence Shortt, recommended that Riddet paint full time.

As easel work increased and a major commission on African birds for Animal Kingdom Magazine began to take up most of his time, Riddet and his wife decided to pull up stakes, cash everything in and cast all common sense to the wind.  In 1979 they purchased fifty acres in Southwest Wisconsin and designed and built their house and studios.

His originals have now been shown in over 60 museums here and abroad.  Michael Riddet was elected in 1996 to the Society of Animal Artists and has received the bronze medal of excellence.  He was elected into the Chicago Palette & Chisel Academy of Art in 2001, and is also a member of the International Guild of Realism.  The transition to trompe l’oeil painting was not a conscious decision initially, but he found it technically challenging and inventive, allowing imagination and occasionally humor to dictate the subject material.  He also admits that it is pure “fun”.  An aspect of natural history is still found in most works and occasionaly a social, political or environmental message.  Some works simply invite the viewer into interpreting the painted image.

Artist Profile Page: Riddet, Michael James / Categories: Trompe L'Oeil

Other Available Works by this Artist:

Similar Works

Trompe L'Oeil

Mike Theise (1959-) Contemporary, American

Medium: Oil on Panel
Image Size: 24” x 18”
Frame Size: 32” x 26”
Signature: Signed on bill
Price: $6500

Biography/Statement

Michael Theise is an American master of the trompe l’oeil genre. Born in the Bronx and raised in Milford, Connecticut, Theise graduated from the nearby Paier School of Art in Hamden, where he studied under another trompe l’oeil master, Ken Davies. While studying under Davies, Theise experimented with realism, primarily by painting African wildlife with intense attention to detail. His passion segued naturally into trompe l’oeil, as he began using objects of compelling interest in his compositions. Captivated by the new direction of his painting, Theise dedicated himself to the trompe l’oeil tradition. Today, Theise is recognized nationally for compositions that employ diverse subjects such as American currency, playing cards, game boards, portrait miniatures, and nods to Rembrandt Peale, John Singer Sargeant, and Jackson Pollock to create visual allegories. “People look at trompe thinking it’s been pushed to its limit,” Theise says. “But I’m always looking for ways to take it further.” Michael Theise has exhibited extensively for the past two decades. The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut has held four highly successful solo shows since 1992. Theise also exhibited at Vose Galleries and the St. Botolph’s Club, both in Boston. In October 2008, the New Britain Museum of American Art opened Theise’s first major museum exhibition, The Eye Deceived: Paintings by Michael Theise.

Artist Profile Page: Theise, Mike / Categories: Trompe L'Oeil

Other Available Works by this Artist:

Similar Works

Still Life, Trompe L'Oeil

Rebecca Cuming (1956-) Contemporary, American

Medium: Oil on Canvas
Image Size: 16” x 20”
Frame Size: 17” x 21”
Signature: Signed lower right
Price: $2400

Biography/Statement

EDUCATION

1977-1980 BFA (honors) School of Visual Arts, New York, NY (Luccio Pozzi, Elizabeth  Murrary)
​
EXHIBITIONS
​
2017       Pirate Contemporary Art 36th anniversary exhibition, Denver ,CO
2016       State Capitol "The Field"  Denver ,CO
2016       Pirate Contemporary Art solo "New Work" Denver , CO
2016       Goodwin Fine Art " Open Stacks" Denver,CO
2016       Pirate Contemporary Art 35th anniversary show Denver , CO
2015       Pirate Contemporary Art  solo  Denver, CO
2015       Thronton Cultural  Center , Thornton, CO
2014      1st BANK Center Solo 10/14-1/15 Broomfield,CO
2014      Pirate Contemporary Art  solo "recent paintings" Denver,CO
2014      Redline " Intersections" Jurors Michael Paglia, Denver,CO
2014      On Edge  EDGE Gallery juried by Michael Burnett Denver,CO
2014      Icebreaker National group show ( Clifford Still Museum ) Denver, CO
2014      Pirate Contemporary Art 34th anniversary member show Denver, CO
2013      Lincoln Art Center "There’s No PLace Like Home" Fort Collins, CO
2013      Firehouse Art Center invitational Longmont,CO
2013      CORE New Art Space juried "Flora Fauna Figura" Denver, CO
2013      Denver Modernism Show juried by Adam Lerner (MCA)Denver,CO
2013      CORE New Art Space " Horizontal Line"  Best Of Show, Denver CO
2013      Pirate Contemporary Art "Open Space"   solo Denver , CO
2013      Pirate Contemporary Art 33rd anniversary member show Denver, CO
2013      Arvada Art Center " California  (Clifford Still Museum director)
2013      Pirate Contemporary Art  juried by Adam Lerner (MCA) Denver, CO
2013      Edge gallery juried exhibition, Denver, CO
2012      Juried National Show Fort Collins, CO
2011      Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2011      Teal Gallery, Breckingridge, CO
2011      Juried “Recycle“ Broomfield Art Guild Broomfield, CO
2011      Juried “Rough Ruffles“ Dairy Center For The Arts, Boulder, CO
2010      Allan Stone Gallery, New York,NY
2010      Teal gallery, Breckingridge, CO
2009      Teal Gallery, Breckingridge, CO
2008      Allan Stone Gallery,New York, NY
2008      The Harrison Gallery, Williamstown, MA
2007      “Talent“ Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2007      “Interpretations of Landscape: Wilson Gallery, Birmingham, AL
2006      Maralyn Wilson Gallery, Birmingham, AL
2006      Clark Galleries, Stowe, VT
2006      Mary Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, VT
2005      HW juried Group, Broomfield, CO
2005      The Harrison Gallery “ Williamstown” Williamstown, MA
2005      “Women Artists” Mary Brian Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, VT
2004-5  Group, The Harrison Gallery, Williamstown, MA
2004      Group, Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2003-4  “IV Centuries of Birds” Clark Galleries, Stowe, VT, Palm Beach FL
2003      “Talent” Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2003      The Harrison Gallery , Williamstown, MA
2003      “The Flower Show” The Harrison Gallery, Williamstown , MA
2003      “Water” Tamarack Gallery, Craftsbury, VT
2002      Tamarack Gallery, Craftsbury, VT
2001      “Invitational Land and Sea," Jeffersonville, VT
2001      40th Anniversary Exhibition, Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2001      “Talent: Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
2000      Invitational Land and Light," Jeffersonville, VT
2000      “Small Works” Mary Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, VT
1998      “Talent” Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
1997      “Talent” Allan Stone Gallery , New York, NY
1996      “Talent” Allan Stone gallery, New York, NY
1995      “Talent Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
1995      Wingspread Gallery, Northeast harbor, ME
1995      Maine Coast Artist Gallery, (Juried Group) Rockport, ME
1994      Gallery Jupiter, Little Silver, NJ
1994      Windsor Gallery, Windsor, VT
1993      Studio Gallery, Northeast harbor, ME
1993      “Night Light” ( Juried )Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, ME
1990      “Maine, Next Generation” Sumner School Museum, Washington, DC
1990      Borchardt Gallery West Palm Beach, FL
1987-6  Lavaggi Gallery Soho, New York, NY
1984-5  “Disposable Art” Kamikaze Club, New York, NY
1983      Bonlow Gallery, Soho, New York, NY
1980      Visual Arts Gallery, Tribeca, New York, NY
1979      Perry Gallery, New Hope, PA
1979      Phillips Mill Gallery, New Hope PA
1977      Studio Gallery, Red Bank NJ
1974      “Young Artists Of New Jersey” Washington , DC

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016      Pirate Contemporary Art, Denver ,CO
2015      Pirate Contemporary Art, Denver, CO
2014      Pirate Contemporary Art,  Denver, CO
2013      Pirtae Contemporary Art  Denver , CO
2004      The Harrison Gallery, Williamstown, MA
2003      Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT
2001      Green Mountain Art Gallery, Stowe, VT
1999      Allan Stone Gallery, New York, NY
1995      Creative Living Center Gallery, Blue Hill, ME
1992      Gallery 68, Belfast, ME
1991      Wingspread gallery, Northeast Harbor, ME
1989      Northeast harbor Gallery, Northeast Harbor, ME
1984      Christminster Gallery, New York , NY
1982      Thompson Park Museum, Lincroft, NJ
1978      Perry Gallery, New Hope, PA

AWARDS

2014      "Prairie Blanket" " No PLace Like Home,"  Center Fort Collins ,CO
2013      Best of Show  "Bloom," Denver CO
2011      Best of Show Juried Group “Recycle” Broomfield,CO
2006      Best of Show Juried group  “H W" Broomfield, CO
2002      “Art For Art Sake”, Stowe, VT First Place, Oil
2001      “Art For Art Sake”, Stowe, VT  First Place, Artist Choice award
2000      “Art For Art Sake”,  Stowe, VT First Place, Oil
1990      Sumner School Museum and the Senate Building, Washington, DC
1974      The National Gallery, Washington , DC
1970      First Place Red Bank, NJ
1969      First Place, Middletown, Nj

Artist Profile Page: Cuming, Rebecca / Categories: Still Life, Trompe L'Oeil

Other Available Works by this Artist:

Similar Works

Trompe L'Oeil

Mike Theise (1959-) Contemporary, American

Medium: Oil on Paenl
Image Size: 42” x 36”
Frame Size: 50” x 44”
Signature: Signed on $500 bill
Price: SOLD

Biography/Statement

Michael Theise is an American master of the trompe l’oeil genre. Born in the Bronx and raised in Milford, Connecticut, Theise graduated from the nearby Paier School of Art in Hamden, where he studied under another trompe l’oeil master, Ken Davies. While studying under Davies, Theise experimented with realism, primarily by painting African wildlife with intense attention to detail. His passion segued naturally into trompe l’oeil, as he began using objects of compelling interest in his compositions. Captivated by the new direction of his painting, Theise dedicated himself to the trompe l’oeil tradition. Today, Theise is recognized nationally for compositions that employ diverse subjects such as American currency, playing cards, game boards, portrait miniatures, and nods to Rembrandt Peale, John Singer Sargeant, and Jackson Pollock to create visual allegories. “People look at trompe thinking it’s been pushed to its limit,” Theise says. “But I’m always looking for ways to take it further.” Michael Theise has exhibited extensively for the past two decades. The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut has held four highly successful solo shows since 1992. Theise also exhibited at Vose Galleries and the St. Botolph’s Club, both in Boston. In October 2008, the New Britain Museum of American Art opened Theise’s first major museum exhibition, The Eye Deceived: Paintings by Michael Theise.

Artist Profile Page: Theise, Mike / Categories: Trompe L'Oeil

Other Available Works by this Artist:

Similar Works

Trompe L'Oeil

Mike Theise (1959-) Contemporary, American

Medium: Oil on Panel
Image Size: 12” x 9”
Frame Size: 16” x 13”
Signature: Signed on $500 bill
Price: SOLD

Biography/Statement

Michael Theise is an American master of the trompe l’oeil genre. Born in the Bronx and raised in Milford, Connecticut, Theise graduated from the nearby Paier School of Art in Hamden, where he studied under another trompe l’oeil master, Ken Davies. While studying under Davies, Theise experimented with realism, primarily by painting African wildlife with intense attention to detail. His passion segued naturally into trompe l’oeil, as he began using objects of compelling interest in his compositions. Captivated by the new direction of his painting, Theise dedicated himself to the trompe l’oeil tradition. Today, Theise is recognized nationally for compositions that employ diverse subjects such as American currency, playing cards, game boards, portrait miniatures, and nods to Rembrandt Peale, John Singer Sargeant, and Jackson Pollock to create visual allegories. “People look at trompe thinking it’s been pushed to its limit,” Theise says. “But I’m always looking for ways to take it further.” Michael Theise has exhibited extensively for the past two decades. The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut has held four highly successful solo shows since 1992. Theise also exhibited at Vose Galleries and the St. Botolph’s Club, both in Boston. In October 2008, the New Britain Museum of American Art opened Theise’s first major museum exhibition, The Eye Deceived: Paintings by Michael Theise.

Artist Profile Page: Theise, Mike / Categories: Trompe L'Oeil

Other Available Works by this Artist:

Similar Works