Michael Banks

Michael Banks is a 35 year-old self-taught artist from Alabama. He knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to be an artist. He was a star athlete in high school, lettering in football, basketball and track, and he was offered several athletic scholarships, all of which he turned down in order to pursue his interest in painting. His earlier work showed influences of various 20th century movements including Cubism and Realism. Over his artistic career, though, his art has evolved into a unique style that is truly his own vision, using the unique technique of painting over tar. He then uses a sgraffito technique of scratching through the paint to reveal the dark tar below. With this development in style and technique has come a significant increase in demand for his works and the tendency for him to sell out quickly at the few yearly shows he attends.