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Art Michael Adams Michael Adams loves the outdoors and like Audubon is particulary fond of painting birds - by John Cella MMICHAEL ADAMS TRANSLATES HIS IMMENSE passion for the outdoors and wildlife and for birds in particular, into vibrant works of fine art. A naturalist and realist, he is widely exhibited and highly esteemed for his watercolors, which are his main medium. He is also a sculptor working in clay and stone. His pieces exhibit not only accuracy in form and color, but radiate the life of the animals and birds he recreates. This artist is truly inspired by the outdoors. He spends hours hiking in Evansburg State Park, often with his wife Cat, his dogs at his side, camera in hand, photographing scenes and birds that entice his eye. “The main thing in my life is to be out in the woods,” he laughs. “I can’t get enough of it!” His beautiful close-up photos of birds and 22 M O N T C O M A G . C O M
estive nature scenes are works of art in themselves. Michael finds inspiration everywhere. His own backyard has been the source of many of his finest bird watercolors, including mourning doves, cardinals, and blue jays. Once he discovered a northern flicker, which had just died, almost at his back door. Using a succession of photos, he breathed life into this beautiful specimen to create his painted replica. Drawing since the age of four, Michael always knew he wanted to be an artist, and the joy he derives now at 60 is greater than ever. He attended Philadelphia College of Art and taught at the University of the Arts for many years, taking his students to the Brandywine River Museum to view the work of the Wyeth family. As a child he was especially captivated by N.C. Wyeth’s paintings of sunlit pirates in their powerful poses. Today he is heavily influenced by Andrew Wyeth and a book of his art is permanently open in his studio for inspiration. A large landscape hanging in his living room is redolent of Wyeth’s muted dark tones and colors. “Because of him I have challenged myself to create with deeper color values, and a subdued, moody style.” Multi-talented Michael also makes a living in Collectible designs and religious art. He designed Lenox Collectibles’ Garden Birds collection of over 50 porcelain birds in their natural habitats. When ornithologists started to review his work, he was motivated to study bird anatomy— covert, primary and secondary feathers as well as bird habitats and migration patterns. “My bird designs for Lenox had to be absolutely anatomically correct, drawn to exact scale. It was painstaking, detailed work.” But this experience served him well in his incredibly lifelike bird paintings, his primary passion, as well as a series of realistic bird and animal sculptures, on permanent display along his dining room wall. A bird artist for 25 years, he is fascinated and heavily influenced by the art of John James Audubon. Fortuitously, this renowned artist’s first home in America is located at the John James Audubon Center (JJAC) in Mill Grove, a short drive from Michael’s home in Trooper. In 2007 he was invited to do a one-man show in Audubon’s historic house. “What a thrill Multi-talented Michael also makes a living in Collectible designs and religious art. He designed Lenox Collectibles’ Garden Birds collection of over 50 porcelain birds in their natural habitats. When ornithologists started to review his work, he was motivated to study bird anatomy—covert, primary and secondary feathers as well as bird habitats and migration patterns. and honor it was to exhibit my paintings where this man lived and worked!” He still exhibits in Mill Grove’s annual art show and has been commissioned to do a large mural of North American birds for the new Visitors Center due to open in spring of 2017. Geronimo, the great horned owl depicted here, lived in the aviary at JJAC, as it was non-releasable due to injury. The large watercolor now hangs in Michael’s dining room. It is breathtaking to behold, its exquisite color and design a result of many watercolor studies done on the Audubon House porch. Its brown and blue tinged feather tufts resemble horns. The intricately patterned plumage looks soft. A luminous yellow eye is amplified by a half moon orange pattern bordered in black. Viewing this bird from across the room creates an immediate emotional reaction. Its mystical quality can’t be explained. This magnificent bird, a raptor always aware, always ready to spring into action, comes alive. A member, past president, and teacher of the Greater Norristown Arts League, Michael shows me a painting of four horned Jacob sheep, which he is currently using to demonstrate his process to watercolor students. “I create texture through detailed brushwork. It’s like drawing, but with a brush.” Moving from pale to dark tones he creates light and shadow, form, and the desired color combinations. In his final washes, browns and ultramarine blues will be added. “I do what I love—portraits, sculpture, landscapes, children’s books, set design—and I love what I do. Selling my work is the icing on the cake.” His dedication to the Norristown community is evidenced in a recent mural for the Firehouse. Currently he is co-creating an 8 by 16-foot work for the Norristown Library, working with Susannah Hart Thomer, also of Montgomery County. In the design for the latter, a procession of children and children’s book characters marches by full of movement and lively color. This talented artist is open to doing work on commission. Contact him at http://www.michael-adams-studio.com. Upcoming shows this spring include Yellow Springs Art Show, April 23-May 8, 2016 in Chester County, www.yellowsprings.org and the “Drawn from Nature” Art Show at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, running from April 9-24, 2016, http://johnjames.audubon.org. John Cella is a freelance writer living in the Philadelphia area. W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 23
Page 1 and 2: MONTCO HOMES,GARDENS HOLIDAY GIFT G
Page 4 and 5: CONTENTS WINTER 2015/16 MONTCO Issu
Page 6 and 7: Publisher William N. Waite Associat
Page 8 and 9: Trends MONTCO TRAINS … since the
Page 10 and 11: NOTEWORTHY What’s happening in Mo
Page 12 and 13: What to do Winter 2015 Photos: Vall
Page 14 and 15: phia, PA. 215-763-8100; www.philamu
Page 16 and 17: MONTGOMERY THEATER Through December
Page 18 and 19: Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Ar
Page 20 and 21: dation.org. BARTRAM’S GARDEN Dece
Page 22 and 23: Top Quality Furniture at Discount P
Page 26 and 27: People Photo: Jess Graves M Eunice
Page 28 and 29: In the Garden Cold Frame Gardening
Page 30 and 31: Staying Fit at Any Age Fitness to t
Page 32 and 33: 30 M O N T C O M A G . C O M Holida
Page 34 and 35: Holiday Gift Guide Carl Venezia CUS
Page 36 and 37: Health Battling ED Doctors Richard
Page 38 and 39: Dressing Up For Christmas Interior
Page 40 and 41: In this home Maria is introducing t
Page 42 and 43: A mix of greenery is placed strateg
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Page 46 and 47: overboard, just a few little touche
Page 48 and 49: 00 M O N T C O M A G . C O M In the
Page 50 and 51: A Hearth for the Home From fireplac
Page 52 and 53: Above, a Metropolitan fireplace. Op
Page 56 and 57: Above, this Accentra 52i is the lat
Page 58 and 59: Jingle All The Way Matthew Wismer o
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Page 62 and 63: He is quiet for a good portion of t
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Page 68 and 69: Home S For 66 years family owned Gr
Page 70 and 71: FIREPLACES Continued from page 55 S
Page 72 and 73: Dining Out -by Frank Quattrone Phot
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DINING OUT GUIDE 19 Bella, 3401 Ski
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DINING OUT GUIDE New Tavern Restaur
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Finale Wintertime It is during our
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MONTCO win15

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