Primary Hughes is best known for his colorful acrylic portraits, having shown in numerous pop and illustration focused gallery exhibitions in California and New York. As an artist residing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and professor of illustration at Northern Michigan University, he can often be found plein air painting along the coast of Lake Superior. His painting and illustration work revels in the interplay of light and color, and the emotional impact in quieter moments of determination, thoughtful reflection, and preparation for a thing that must be done.