"When I paint, I have a compelling desire to convey order, balance, and an element of tension. The biggest challenge for me is finding a problem to solve within the painting, whether it is addressed on a conscious or unconscious level. Then I work and rework the piece until it feels complete. During the painting process, I can be extremely improvisational, working with my intuition. But acting on this alone rarely produces a finished painting. It is when I step back from the work and view it objectively that I can make decisions on how to improve the image. Creating a balance between logic and feeling is essential to creating a successful work of art.” Michael Schaeffer was born in Jackson, Michigan. Like many artists, he found joy and release in expressing himself creatively at an early age. In 1993, he attended the Royal College of Art in London and in 1995 he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College of Art and Design. Schaeffer is widely known for his renowned "Head" paintings. These precocious pieces depict a variety of characters wearing striking and engaging expressions. The emotional content of these mixed-media personalities is as complex a range as anything that can be found in the human condition. In Michael's own words, "these paintings reflect what we are, as they are penetrating images of the human psyche which suggest our own states of mind as manifested in our appearances." In his abstract work, Schaeffer's inventive palette and fresh, unpredictable results are a testament to the discoveries made throughout his creative journeys. Large or small, figurative or abstract, each of his paintings play off each other and convey a sense of adventure and spontaneity. With emphasis on color, texture, and form, Schaeffer infuses intuitive and improvisational markings with order, balance, and harmony. Each finished painting is about the process of its creation, the manipulation of paint on any surface, and the relationships that form its composition. Schaeffer's work is included in the collections of several prestigious museums and corporations as well as over 120 personal collections throughout the United States and Germany.