ABOUT

Michael Wegner Aiello is a fine artist based in Portland, Oregon. He is also in his third year of training in the feild of restoring sacred Tibetan Thangka paintings. His body of works include oil, egg tempera, etching, ink, watercolor and sculpture.

You can view information about his last show at the Blackfish Gallery Here.

Ancient sacred art inspires my work, which frequently recounts archetypal, spiritual themes. I mix my own paints with pigments from my fathers's homeland, Italy. I am trained in a number of Western European art traditions, yet I have often made ritual, ceremonial and sacred objects for private buyers. My familiarity with a wide variety of artist materials and practices, and my sacred art commissions have led me into the field of restoration to supplement my personal studio practice.

 

     

The following information includes the artist's Education, Professional Experience, Gallery Shows, and a list of Awards & Grants. 

 

Thank you for your interest
~ Michael Aiello.

EDUCATION

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BA Comparative Religion, Independent Study with Luthier Fred Stubbs, 1989

PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART | BFA Painting & Printmaking, 1999

SUSAN ST. CLAIR BENNETT THANGKA RESTORATION & CONSERVATION | Art Restoration and Conservation, current


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Susan St. Clair Bennett Thangka Restoration & Conservation  Third Year of Mentorship training, current.

Artemisia | Collage with Nature  Co-Owner, exhibiting artist and product designer, 2004 -2015

RACC Project Grant  Intaglio & Watercolor series on paper, Co-ordinated, printed, exhibited local children's etchings, 2011.

Bob Gamblin Conservation Colors  Research and Development of Conservation Paint line, 2006 - 2009

PCC Rock Creek  Life Drawing Instructor, 2002 - 2004

The Haven Project  Theater for Underprivileged Youth in Portland. Mural Painter, 2002-2004 


GALLERY SHOWS

Artemisia Gallery, Portland, Or.; ongoing exhibition, ‘10 - ‘04 Portland Community College, Rock Creek, Or.; faculty show, ‘03 Cabell Center, The Catlin Gabel School, Portland, Or.; emerging artists group show, ‘99 Black Fish Gallery, Portland, Or.; group show, ‘99 P.N.C.A. Thesis Show, Portland, Or., ‘99 Feldman Gallery, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘98 B.F.A. Juried Show, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘98 OHSU Show, Portland, Or.; group show, ‘98 & ‘97 Wentz Gallery, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘97 McCoy Gallery, Portland, Or.; two month long installation, ‘97 Northern New Mexico Community College, Taos, N.M.; classical portraiture group show, ‘93


AWARDS & GRANTS

REGIONAL ARTS & CULTURE COUNCIL Project Grant "Our Fates Are Connected intaglio" series, 2011

ABRAHAM & ANNA C. HELMAN Thesis Award, 1999

VIVIAN & GORDON GILKEY Printmaking Scholarship, 1999

STEPHEN E. THOMPSON MEMORIAL Fine Art Scholarship, 1999

ROBERT & MARTHA GAMBLIN ARTIST COLOR AWARD, 1998

BEAUX ARTS SOCIETY Annual Award, 1998

CAREY LIFE DRAWING AWARD, 1998

LOUIS BUNCE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 & 1998 

ROBERT C. LEE PRINTMAKING SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 & 1998

NANCY TONKIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 - In Kind Contributions from Gamblin Artist Colors, Art Media, and Horatio Hung-Yan Law


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

(Portland, Or.,) Artemisia Garden Nursery & Gallery; Owner, Artist, Garden Designer. ‘04 -‘10 Bob Gamblin Conservation Colors; Research and Development for Conservation Paint. ‘06 - ‘09 P.C.C., Rock Creek Campus; Life Drawing Instructor. ‘02 - ‘04 Citybikes; Bicycle Mechanic and Co-Op Member. ‘99 - ‘04 The Haven Project; “Designated” Mural Painter for disadvantaged youths’ theater ‘98 - ‘01

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