I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1988 with a degree in Visual Communications. The focus of my art shifted during school, from childhood dreams of being a comic book artist, to being an oil painter specializing in portraits and illustration. After graduation, I began a career as a photo retouch artist while I continued to improve my skills as a painter. The art of photo retouching brought many new skills to my portfolio. Studying peoples faces every day gave me new insight in the construction of the human face and body. Every detail around every eyeball and every wrinkle on each face added to my memory banks the subtle ways light creates and forms shadows on every object. Working on portraits from professional photographers gave me even more insight on composing a picture to create the most flattering portrait possible.

The heroes of my art world date back to the old masters. Leonardo, Michelangelo and Rembrandt are perhaps the biggest influences on what I do, and how I do it. The smooth, perfection of Leonardo, the incredible drawing skills of Michelangelo and the stunning lighting that Rembrandt brings to each of their paintings. To view their works in person is a breathtaking experience, one that would surely force any artist to raise his abilities just to attempt to reach their level. No, I'm not there - yet. This doesn't bother me too much, since nobody else is there either. It is a lifelong goal to reach a quality of work such as theirs.

Currently the artist lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Monique and daughter Julia. He can be reached at 412-571-1608 or by E-mail. bkm@stargate.net