At the age of seven, Michael Duane's fascination with the forces of nature was ignited by the sight of a tornado. The experience, both terrifying and exhilarating, left an indelible mark on him. Michael's artistic journey has taken him through various forms, but it was his deep-seated passion for the beauty and power of weather that truly resonated with him. Following his graduation from the University of Kansas, Michael embarked on a creative pursuit, realizing that using weather as his muse would infuse his work with unparalleled vitality and fervor. Michael has spent countless hours chasing storms across Kansas, through the Flint Hills, and beyond, capturing the energy, power, and beauty of these natural phenomena in his dramatic soft pastel paintings. His work depicts both the serenity of distant storms and the force of oncoming tempests, using bold colors and simplified shapes to reflect the shapes of the forces above. Michael's artwork has garnered critical acclaim and his work is in the collections of Federal Home Loan Bank, Wichita Center for the Arts, Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, and many others. His work is also treasured by numerous private collectors across the country.