Resident Artist Michael John Coleman

       Award winning fine art photographer Michael John Coleman is a native Washingtonian who is a nationally recognized artist, published leader in alternative process photography. Michael's work has been featured in many national magazines, books, and many major exhibitions, events, and thorough out a top 200 Internet website migraines.org.

       Known for his painterly style and impressionist approach, Coleman's artwork has been published in more than 175 fine art exhibitions and has earned awards from many notable personalities in the community such as Peter Thomas, former Dean of the Corcoran Museum and Art School; David Tannous, critic for Art in America; Clare List, curator for the Baltimore Museum of Fine Art; Clifford Chieffo, contributing editor for American Artist; Howard Paine of National Geographic Magazine, and many, many more. Michael was also nominated for a 1990 ALEX Award, the highest honor the city has for the Arts.

       Coleman's work is currently on display in U.S. Congressman James P. Moran's constituents' office, an ongoing display of 24 original works. Coleman's art is included in such permanent collections as Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, Burroughs Pharmaceutical Headquarters in Germany, and thousands of private and corporate collections throughout the world.

       The quality and the use of his work to raise public awareness about a major health issue has been acknowledged by many major government officials. Some of the notables who have praised him are Tipper Gore, Senator Charles S. Robb, Senator John Warner, Congressman James P. Moran, Senator Paul D. Coverdell, and Congressman Cliff Stearns to name a few.

       Coleman's work has been featured in many magazines and books, such as PHOTOgraphic Magazine, PROPHOTO, and The Best of Photography International. His art was featured on the cover of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds' latest book: Why Vietnam Still Matters, The War and The Wall. Recently, his successful marriage of using his art with migraine disease awareness was the cover story of FDA's Journal: The FDA Consumer Magazine, and a two-page cover story in The Washington Times. He was also featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and The Old Town Crier. Other cover stories include The Journal newspapers and DC Magazine. In addition, his work has been featured on CBS, ABC, PBS, MSNBC, Reuters Television, and Lifetime television to name a few.

       Michael studied at the University of Maryland and is completely self-taught in his primary medium --photography. Michael served as an Art Director with Naval Sea Systems Command, volunteered as a Head Coach of a woman's division Mid-Maryland soccer team, was juried into the nation's oldest and largest art center, The Torpedo Factory, and served on the Board of directors of Washington D.C.'s Art League, Inc. After a decade tenure as the only photographic resident artist at the Factory, he left due to complications thrust upon him by severe intractable Migraine. Now he uses his visual communication skills to fight for the rights of Migraine sufferers in this country.

       Michael John Coleman is the Founder and Executive Director of M.A.G.N.U.M.: Migraine Awareness Group: A National Understanding for Migraineurs, a non-profit health care organization. MAGNUM, also known as The National Migraine Association, has received endorsements from the leading Migraine and headache medical centers in the US, and its Board of Directors includes many leading medical experts. Coleman is also on the Board of the World Headache Alliance (WHA) as the Art Director and the Chairman of the Website Committee. Michael has suffered from intractable Migraines since the age of six, and has experienced the life-altering effects of the disease. MAGNUM's use of art and media in its Public Awareness efforts allows Michael to divide his time between Migraine disease awareness advocacy and his fine art career.

To see more of Mr. Coleman's award winning work online, visit www.migraines.org, the leading Migraine website.

All Images © 1980-2000 Michael John Coleman