Michael John Coleman
Fine Art Photographer
Biography
Michael John Coleman is
a native Washingtonian who is a nationally recognized, award winning
leader in alternative process photography. Michael's work has been
featured in many national magazines, newspapers, books, the internet
and many major exhibitions and events.
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,
the late 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, VOA,
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 U.S., and its Board of Directors includes many leading
medical experts. Coleman is also on the Board of the World Headache
Alliance (WHA), and the Chairman of the Website Committee, as well
as their Art Director. 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.
