​Artist Statement
   There is beauty everywhere...if you look for it. Many of the everyday things and concepts we pass by in our busy lives go unobserved. I see my job as an artist to bring them to the forefront, to make us see what we have previously missed. To appreciate the unappreciated. To think.
It is true that a painting should be visually striking. Either beautiful or repulsive, a painting needs to gather the viewer’s attention first before it can deliver its message. And I feel that art in general, should have a message to impart or a story to tell.
   I paint to make a social or visual statement. I like to challenge the idea that art is just something pretty to look at. Why can’t it be pretty and also say something? Of course, it can.
   My paintings are somewhat large for residential use by design. Each canvas is 3x4 feet. I don't generally do any other size. I have found that when shown together as a group, the common size lends a solid foundation to the chaos that is often found in my compositions. The uniformity of the form helps calm the randomness of the imagery. At 36x48 inches, each piece can actually fill your field of vision should you wish to “tune out” the rest of the surroundings.
   Someone once asked me..."Why don't you paint trees? Trees are lovely and would sell much more quickly". I replied with a question of my own... "Have you ever seen a beautiful painting of a tree?" The answer was a resounding "Of course!" To which I replied...”that's why I don't need to paint them, there are many fine artists doing that already". I am looking to do something a little different. And I am well aware that there are “no new ideas”, I am just hoping to put a little something new into my work.
   My objective is to cause the viewer to think about the imagery and to try to discern its’ message or story. Sometimes the title will bring everything into focus and other times the viewer will need to study the work intently to see what is being said. And I find it quite acceptable for the viewer to come up with their own story. If they put in the time to make something up, well that’s a win for me.
    I want those who see my work to immediately associate my name with it, even if it is not signed. Once that happens, and people can say “I know that artist” I have achieved the best success known to me as an artist.​ Recognition.
Michael Knapp