Global Excellence Awards 2025 | 35 Most Influential Master Artist 2025: Michael Gault Leading Visionary Art Mentor 2025 Michael Gault is an award-winning professional fine artist fuelled by a lifelong passion for the creation of art. Process-driven at his core, Michael focuses wholeheartedly on the delivery of a visual statement or story within each finished painting – rather than a revenue stream. He has earned national and international recognition for his landscapes, still life, and abstract paintings, and shares his unique expertise with aspiring artists throughout Colorado. We spoke to Michael below to learn more about his journey, following his recent recognition in the LUX Global Excellence Awards 2025. For as long as he can remember, Michael Gault has always loved his craft; by the age of seven, he had already declared art as his true professional calling. While his peers were playing baseball, Michael was taking drawing lessons and dedicating his childhood and teenage years to creating and appreciating fine art. It wasn’t until after a stint in the Navy, however, that Michael could finally follow his dreams – in 1972, he was accepted into the renowned Kansas City Art Institute via juried process. Michael’s educational journey culminated in a BFA from the Kanas City Art Institute and an MA from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. After receiving classical training, he confidently utilises a wide range of mediums and styles in his creative processes, though oil painting remains his preferred process. Over the years, Michael has earned recognition as a Master Artist from collectors and students alike, testifying to his ability to paint any subject in any style. “I appreciate all art, even the art I do not like,” he told us. “Time will be the judge of successful movements, and also a record of the failures. I enjoy utilising realism and styles with high levels of detail and precision.” A traditionally trained artist, Michael is best known for his representational work, comprising landscapes, still life, portraits, waterscapes, and western landscapes featuring local animals from the region. Alongside this, he has also developed an international reputation for his non-representational and abstract works, the creation of which has played an instrumental role in enhancing his representational skills by helping him to develop a greater understanding of the use of various techniques in his work. Michael operates with the belief that creativity should be shared – not only through educational endeavours and commercial patronage but also by sharing the creative experience and art making process. He views art as a two-part interpretation: part one is the story explored through creativity, while part two occurs when a viewer looks deeply into the paint and responds to their interpretation of the visual story. “Many of my collectors have shared that the paintings they purchased continuously brings them joy,” he shared. “The joy sometimes comes to them as they spend time looking at the painting, which becomes more like a window into a special point of nature, instead of just a picture. Sometimes they say the viewing triggers an emotion related to a place and time in the past, which enlightens their experience.” For decades, Michael has dedicated himself to sharing his passion and creativity with the world. With workshops and classes focused on experiences and skills discovered along his own journey, Michael teaches students how to view the world as a true artist and capture creativity in colour and space. His teachings take a personalised approach that empowers each participant to discover their own artistic voice while also mastering essential skills, earning him recognition as the Leading Visionary Art Mentor 2025. Colorado’s summertime promises to be an exciting period for Michael, as local groups come together for festivals, art walks, and cultural art events. Michael will launch a Destination Workshop during the summer, as well as hosting a studio tour for Art Talks and attending the fourth annual Peak Art Adventure Plein Air Event and Competition. These upcoming events allow Michael to continue sharing his experiences with his community, underpinning his status as the Most Influential Master Artist 2025. Reflecting upon this significant achievement, Michael stated: “I think my success and value to the local art community comes with my inclusive nature. I think everyone who wants to create can and should create. Every artist has to go through their own journey to find their creative abilities and voice. It is the responsibility of society to provide a space for those journeys to occur.” You can see Michael and his work at Reserve Our Gallery, Artistic Endeavors Fine Art and paint with him with the Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters. Contact: Michael Gault Company: Michael Gault Studio Web Address: www.michaelgaultstudio.com Michael Gault Studio
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