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ESCAPES in the City Gallery

Left to right: Harlem Java House owner Deborah Brawner and artist Michael Meissner standing in front of his oil paintings exhibition "Escapes"
Deborah Brawner and artist Michael Meissner on May 6th at the reception of ESCAPES in the City Gallery

Michael Meissner has been painting for as long as he can remember. In fact, some of his oldest memories are of painting. Encouraged to pursue his talents by his mother, he graduated top of his class from graphic design school.

 

After 16 years of working as a graphic designer, Meissner now embraces the traditional mediums, such as oils and pastels. Since his time in school and working professionally as a graphic designer while running his own design company, Michael’s style has changed dramatically over time. He is a prolific painter, sometimes completing three in one day.

 

He utilizes many tools to create the desired affects that can be seen in his works. His love for bold colors and directional light are apparent in his works. His style has been called Alla Prima, or wet-on-wet, impressionism, and even tonalism. His ideal form of painting is one that, when viewing closely, appears as simple stokes of color, but when you step back then transforms into an almost photographic representation of the subject.

Michael’s most recent body of work, titled ESCAPES depicts scenes from all over the south-eastern United States. Many with themes of the low-country, rural southern landscapes, downtown Augusta, and farm life. ESCAPES is on display at the City Gallery, located in the lobby of the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal building at 535 Telfair St. in Downtown Augusta, GA until July 6, 2022. His vibrant works breathe new life onto the gray gallery walls of the City Gallery.

 

His most recent reception for this series was hosted on First Friday May 6th from 11:00 – 1:00 Pm with many in attendance including local business owner, Deborah Brawner (pictured above) of Harlem Java House, who often hosts Michael Meissner’s artworks and painting workshops in her café.

 

Michael Meissner is a member of the Oil Painters of America, Pastel Society of America, McDuffie Arts Council, Greater Augusta Arts Council and a few smaller art organizations. His works can also be seen in The MAC Gallery in Thomson, Augusta & Co., Harlem Ga’s Java House. He has also had the express honor of having two of his paintings displayed at the GA State House and in the Governor’s office as part of the art of the Georgia exhibit.

 

Multiple of Meissner’s works have sold since the opening of ESCAPES with many more still available. The City Gallery is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. All works are for sale through the Greater Augusta Arts Council by contacting Gallery Director, Heather Dunaway at [email protected] or calling the Arts Council office at 706-826-4702.