Michael Ananian, Perception + Imagination in Narrative Painting
1,863 views · Published 1 May 2018 · 26:24 · Indexed 6 November 2026
Channel: John Thornton · 2018 · Education
In 2014, artist Scott Noel organized a show at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts of artists who paint from life. One of my favorites was Michael Ananian. A few months ago, when Scott curated a show at Philadelphia’s Stanek Gallery, I finally got to meet him. His work varies from portraiture, to highly imaginative narrative sequences that tell a story, to images that reflect his love for old time banjo and fiddle music. To me what makes Mike’s paintings so special is how he builds psychologically intense imagery using a very intense painterly attack.
