Michael Ridge

Contact Information:

Phone: (802) 223-7941

Email: sculptridge@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.mikeridgestudios.com

Address: 293 Sherwood Drive, Montpelier, VT 05602 United States

This Artist Accepts Commissions. Contact By Email

Artists Bio:

Michael Ridge finds inspiration in his rural surroundings. Similarities between the central Pennsylvania landscapes of his childhood, and the Vermont landscape where he now resides form a bridge for Michael between his past and present. He is drawn to the imprint humans leave on nature, from the working farm, to abandoned equipment left to rust. Realism is important in his work. By striking a balance between control in details and the spontaneity and transparency inherent in watercolor, Michael has found a way to share the emotional connection he feels to the landscape.

After graduating from Syracuse University with a BFA in sculpture, Michael Ridge worked as a mold technician at the NY based toy prototyping company, Art Asylum. In 2003 Michael moved to Vermont and spent 13 years as a lead sculptor at Advanced Animations. There he contributed his creative skills to the production of animatronic characters for theme parks worldwide.

In 2016 Michael turned his focus full time to fine art, including watercolor painting and sculpture. He has participated in local, national, and international juried watercolor shows, and has won numerous awards for his paintings, including “Best Painting in Show”, and “Best Depiction of Rural Vermont” awards in the 2018 Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition. Michael’s commissioned painting “Ascending” was selected to be published in the Splash 19 book, and his painting “Evening Splendor” will be published in Splash 21. Most recently, his painting “Tracks” has been accepted into the American Watercolor Society’s 153rd annual international exhibition.

Recent Paintings