Michael E. Voss
I am a painter, printmaker and draftsman based in the Waukegan, IL. My works have been widely exhibited nationally and collected internationally.
My work is inspired by nature, urban spaces’ scale and reflectivity, inner journeys, absurdities, and working people. I am also influenced by the old masters, the innovation of contemporary artists, and the realms of mythology and psychology.
I channel subconscious imagery from within, to shed light not only upon often-obscured beauty and truth, but also to challenge accepted falsehoods, injustices, intolerance, and inequity.
While I was formally trained in the sight/size realism technique, I thrive on experimentation, including building my own tools to help me execute new ideas.
I am a painter, printmaker and draftsman based in the Waukegan, IL. My works have been widely exhibited nationally and collected internationally.
My work is inspired by nature, urban spaces’ scale and reflectivity, inner journeys, absurdities, and working people. I am also influenced by the old masters, the innovation of contemporary artists, and the realms of mythology and psychology.
I channel subconscious imagery from within, to shed light not only upon often-obscured beauty and truth, but also to challenge accepted falsehoods, injustices, intolerance, and inequity.
While I was formally trained in the sight/size realism technique, I thrive on experimentation, including building my own tools to help me execute new ideas.
$1,120.00
Oil on canvas with wood hand scrolls.
16x43"
Still water juxtaposed with burning shoreline. Save yourself. Jump. Embrace a cooling kiss.
Sister painting to Really Really and Lakeside Inferno Dance. The group is shown in the last image here.
Oil on canvas with wooden scrolls. 16" x 43" - 2021
$11,020.00
Oil on canvas.
48x60"
Still water juxtaposed with burning shoreline. Save yourself. Jump. Embrace a cooling kiss.
Sister piece to Really and Really Really, shown as a group in the last image.
Oil on canvas. Gallery wrap. 60" x 48" - 2021
$1,390.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel.
26x30"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
Ducts and Illusions #3 is part of a series of linocut block prints that explores the intricate interplay of air ducts and impossible figures.
Using a new printing technique that emphasizes negative space and interconnections between block impressions, this series expands on Escher's use of tessellation to create mesmerizing fractal universes.
Each print in this series is a study in the stark beauty of underlying geometry. The Ducts and Illusions series celebrates the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane objects, inviting viewers to explore the hidden connections and patterns that exist all around us.
Display in any orientation.
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel. Gallery wrap. Framing options available. 26" x 30" x 1.5" - 2023
$1,390.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel.
30x26"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
Ducts and Illusions #2 is part of a series of linocut block prints that explores the intricate interplay of air ducts and impossible figures.
Using a new printing technique that emphasizes negative space and interconnections between block impressions, this series expands on Escher's use of tessellation to create mesmerizing fractal universes.
Each print in this series is a study in the stark beauty of underlying geometry. The Ducts and Illusions series celebrates the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane objects, inviting viewers to explore the hidden connections and patterns that exist all around us.
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel. Gallery wrap. Framing options available. Display in any orientation. 26" x 30" x 1.5" - 2023
$1,110.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel.
26x22"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
Ducts and Illusions #1 is part of a series of linocut block prints that explores the intricate interplay of air ducts and impossible figures.
Using a new printing technique that emphasizes negative space and interconnections between block impressions, this series expands on Escher's use of tessellation to create mesmerizing fractal universes.
Each print in this series is a study in the stark beauty of underlying geometry. The Ducts and Illusions series celebrates the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane objects, inviting viewers to explore the hidden connections and patterns that exist all around us.
Oil multi-impression linocut on cotton fabric panel. Gallery wrap. Framing options available. Display in any orientation. 22" x 26" x 1.5" - 2023
$3,465.00
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas.
30x24"
Who's a good girl? Make mama proud!
An absurdist, playful commentary on the pressure that can motivate parents and children to compete and succeed, and the idea that children are proxies for their parents' unachieved goals, viewing kids as "pets" to be trained and used for the vicarious success of the parents.
Through my paintings, I explore themes of competition, identity, and the emotional toll that this pressure can take on both parents and children.
Oil on canvas, gallery wrap, framing options available. 30" x 24" x 1.5" - 2023
$3,465.00
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas.
30x24"
Faster, kids! Win it for Mommy and Daddy!
An absurdist, playful commentary on the pressure that can motivate parents and children to compete and succeed, and the idea that children are proxies for their parents' unachieved goals, viewing kids as "pets" to be trained and used for the vicarious success of the parents.
Through my paintings, I explore themes of competition, identity, and the emotional toll that this pressure can take on both parents and children.
Oil on canvas, gallery wrap, framing options available. 30" x 24" x 1.5" - 2023
$3,465.00
Oil on canvas.
24x30"
Who's a good boy? Make Mommy proud!
An absurdist, playful commentary on the pressure that can motivate parents and children to compete and succeed, and the idea that children are proxies for their parents' unachieved goals, viewing kids as "pets" to be trained and used for the vicarious success of the parents.
Through my paintings, I explore themes of competition, identity, and the emotional toll that this pressure can take on both parents and children.
Oil on canvas, gallery wrap, framing options available. 30" x 24" x 1.5" - 2023
$1,530.00
Oil over monotype, hand scroll hahnnemühle copperplate bright paper.
16x48"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
Birch tree in a Chicagoland forest preserve.
Monotype processes differ from artist to artist. I paint on a plexiglass plate, then use an etching press to transfer the image. Then I add extra contrast and color directly to the paper. Hence, oil over monotype.
Sister piece to Oak Tree With Invasive Vine.
Signed and chopped. 16" x 48" - 2021
$4,170.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel.
45x45"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
In the Labyrinth series, I use large oil linocut multi-impression block prints to explore the intersecting and concentric lines that make up a maze.
These mazes represent the confusion and complexity of the modern world, where everything seems connected and interdependent.
At the same time, labyrinths symbolize the journey to self-discovery, which I also aim to capture in my work.
Using tessellated patterns, I create a sense of continuity and interconnectedness in the pieces, inviting viewers to get lost in the details and discover new paths and perspectives.
My work also pays homage to my childhood memories of craft books filled with similar imagery, adding a nostalgic and personal touch to the series.
Display in any orientation.
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel. Gallery wrap, framing options available. 45" x 45" x 1.5" - 2023
$4,170.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel.
45x45"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
In the Labyrinth series, I use large oil linocut multi-impression block prints to explore the intersecting and concentric lines that make up a maze.
These mazes represent the confusion and complexity of the modern world, where everything seems connected and interdependent.
At the same time, labyrinths symbolize the journey to self-discovery, which I also aim to capture in my work.
Using tessellated patterns, I create a sense of continuity and interconnectedness in the pieces, inviting viewers to get lost in the details and discover new paths and perspectives.
My work also pays homage to my childhood memories of craft books filled with similar imagery, adding a nostalgic and personal touch to the series.
Display in any orientation.
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel. Gallery wrap. Framing options available. 45" x 45" x 1.5" - 2023
$4,170.00
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel.
45x45"
Limited edition 1 of 1.
In the Labyrinth series, I use large oil linocut multi-impression block prints to explore the intersecting and concentric lines that make up a maze.
These mazes represent the confusion and complexity of the modern world, where everything seems connected and interdependent.
At the same time, labyrinths symbolize the journey to self-discovery, which I also aim to capture in my work.
Using tessellated patterns, I create a sense of continuity and interconnectedness in the pieces, inviting viewers to get lost in the details and discover new paths and perspectives.
My work also pays homage to my childhood memories of craft books filled with similar imagery, adding a nostalgic and personal touch to the series.
Display in any orientation.
Oil multi-impression linocut on polyester fabric panel. Gallery wrap. Framing options available. 45" x 45" x 1.5" - 2023