Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Schaeffer.
Michael, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I guess you could say art has always been an important part of my life; some the earliest memories I have are of coloring. My interest in art continued as I went through school, and I became known as the “class artist.” People were often asking me to make them an AC/DC t-shirt or something like that. I was the go-to guy for those sorts of things.
As far as my career, when I was about to graduate high school and knew I wanted to go to college, I decided to study art. I applied to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which I attended from 1991-1995, majoring in oil painting.
My abstract painting class inspired me most; it presented many more opportunities, options, and mystery. It was exciting for me to put many different possible elements together to create a cohesive outcome. In 1993, I was accepted to study for a semester at the Royal Academy of Art in London.
When I graduated from Kendall in 1995, I was looking for work right away. I had long been interested in LaFontsee Galleries, and I always thought it would be a dream to work in a gallery. I walked in and talked with the owners, and it didn’t sound like they were hiring. But making that personal connection was very beneficial because they ended up hiring me right away. I also showed them my work, and they decided to represent my work right away, too. That was a pretty magical time.
I have been represented by LaFontsee Galleries ever since then, and I worked there for 15 years as a frame craftsman. I have also been represented by three other Michigan galleries, and my work is also currently represented by Bennett Galleries in Nashville, TN.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create non-representational/non-
I create because I love the act of making, as well as being surprised by compositions that appear through the experimental process. I also love sharing it with others.
I’m inspired by everything around me, all the time—whether it’s compositions, social interactions, or spiritual moments. It’s not like just one thing is inspiring; I feel like I’m taking in information all the time, and often something I wasn’t initially inspired by in the moment can come out in my work.
As far as what I hope people take away from my work, I’m just glad I get to share something that I’m working through, and put it out there—and that maybe someone will see something in the work that they can relate to, without having to “figure it out.” It’s an experience.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I am well-acquainted with financial challenges. For a long time, I worked three jobs (full-time +), until I eventually decided to put more of my energy into my art—to just try out being self-employed. But it wasn’t the painting alone I was focusing on; I am also a professional accordionist (michaeltheaccordionist.com). I don’t know if I could make it work if it was just the art. Having other means of income can be important to sustaining your life as an artist.
My advice is to create structure, have a budget, and live within your means. But the bottom line is: Do what you love.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Visit the galleries that represent my work:
–LaFontsee Galleries (Grand Rapids and Douglas, Michigan): https://www.lafontsee.us/
–Bennett Galleries (Nashville, Tennessee): https://www.
Visit my website: http://
The best way people can support my work is by buying it and telling their friends who created it and how much they love it. What other answer is there—“Tell me I’m doing a good job”?
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.michaelschaeffer.net/
- Phone: 616-735-1756
- Email: michaeltheaccordionist@gmail.com
- Instagram: @michael.schaeffer
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