MICHAEL CROOK

Michael creates handcarved, handpainted wildlife pins and framed art pieces from various types hardwoods. Each piece is individually carved, using special carving tools and chisels, and handpainted, using opaque watercolors.

He has worked in various media - painting and drawing, photography, silversmithing, stained glass, ceramics, printmaking and woodworking.

He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Sierra Madre, California. He received his art education at Pasadena City College, Chouinard Art Institute, UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles.

In 1967, he participated in the Combat Artist program in Vietnam. Michael's drawings and paintings are a part of the U.S. Army Military Art Collection at the U. S. Army Center of Military History in Washington D.C. His paintings were exhibited in ìVietnam 15î show at University of the Pacific in 1987 and his photography was exhibited in ìHealing the Woundsî traveling show (The Vietnam Experience) in 1988.

He has exhibited in many shows since entering this new phase of his artistic career in 1995, including the following:

· October-West Wildlife Art Show - Anaheim - October 1995

· Third Annual Wildlife Art Festival - San Bernardino County Museum - November 1995

· Anaheim Wildlife Art Show ñ 1996 ñ (Won Best of Show in crafts!)

· Pacific Southwest Wildlife Arts Annual California Open - San Diego ñ February 1996-1999 & 2005

· Third Annual Fallbrook Wildlife Art Show - Fallbrook - May 1996

· Contemporary Crafts Market in Santa Monica since 1998

· Exhibited at Art-A-Fair 2002 - 2005 in Laguna Beach

He lives in Newport Beach with his wife Pamela and their three cats, Fred, Alice and Oliver.