Michael J. Reibel
My Story

While I began my artistic journey later in life than most contemporary painters, I nonetheless possess a very strong drive, ambition and passion for mastering my craft and creating fine art. I am very grateful to have rediscovered this talent at the age of forty and  I can only hope that this was somehow meant to happen this way. Many thanks to Betty Layman, an artist in Shelby County, Ky., who saw my work from high school purely by chance and spurred my decision to pursue my artistic gift.

In January 2005, I picked up a brush for the first time in 24 years. During my years at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, I took numerous art electives as a sophomore and continued through my senior year.  These elective classes exposed me to a variety of mediums and gave me the opportunity to paint or draw every week.  I displayed a natural talent for drawing and painting and performed well in scholastic competitions.  My earliest recollection of art was a summer camp that my Mom enrolled me in at the J.B. Speed Art museum in Louisville at the age of five.

Upon entering college at what is now Bellarmine University, I did not pursue my artistic passion and abilities with a degree in fine arts, instead initially pursuing a degree in medicine only to change to accounting while I played on the basketball team.

I have furthered my art education and talent by taking weekly painting and life drawing classes here in Louisville at local studios. I have also attended workshops at the Scottsdale Artist School in Phoenix, AZ and Palette and Chisel Art Academy in Chicago, IL. I am continuely reading and studying the work  of well known historical and contemporary artists.

To the buyers of my work to date, thank you for your support and interest. I have very lofty ambitions and goals for the future of my work!