ABOUT
Michael Wegner Aiello is a fine artist based in Portland, Oregon. He is also in his third year of training in the feild of restoring sacred Tibetan Thangka paintings. His body of works include oil, egg tempera, etching, ink, watercolor and sculpture.
You can view information about his last show at the Blackfish Gallery Here.
Ancient sacred art inspires my work, which frequently recounts archetypal, spiritual themes. I mix my own paints with pigments from my fathers's homeland, Italy. I am trained in a number of Western European art traditions, yet I have often made ritual, ceremonial and sacred objects for private buyers. My familiarity with a wide variety of artist materials and practices, and my sacred art commissions have led me into the field of restoration to supplement my personal studio practice.
The following information includes the artist's Education, Professional Experience, Gallery Shows, and a list of Awards & Grants.
Thank you for your interest
~ Michael Aiello.
EDUCATION
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BA Comparative Religion, Independent Study with Luthier Fred Stubbs, 1989
PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART | BFA Painting & Printmaking, 1999
SUSAN ST. CLAIR BENNETT THANGKA RESTORATION & CONSERVATION | Art Restoration and Conservation, current
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Susan St. Clair Bennett Thangka Restoration & Conservation Third Year of Mentorship training, current.
Artemisia | Collage with Nature Co-Owner, exhibiting artist and product designer, 2004 -2015
RACC Project Grant Intaglio & Watercolor series on paper, Co-ordinated, printed, exhibited local children's etchings, 2011.
Bob Gamblin Conservation Colors Research and Development of Conservation Paint line, 2006 - 2009
PCC Rock Creek Life Drawing Instructor, 2002 - 2004
The Haven Project Theater for Underprivileged Youth in Portland. Mural Painter, 2002-2004
GALLERY SHOWS
Artemisia Gallery, Portland, Or.; ongoing exhibition, ‘10 - ‘04 Portland Community College, Rock Creek, Or.; faculty show, ‘03 Cabell Center, The Catlin Gabel School, Portland, Or.; emerging artists group show, ‘99 Black Fish Gallery, Portland, Or.; group show, ‘99 P.N.C.A. Thesis Show, Portland, Or., ‘99 Feldman Gallery, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘98 B.F.A. Juried Show, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘98 OHSU Show, Portland, Or.; group show, ‘98 & ‘97 Wentz Gallery, P.N.C.A., Portland, Or., ‘97 McCoy Gallery, Portland, Or.; two month long installation, ‘97 Northern New Mexico Community College, Taos, N.M.; classical portraiture group show, ‘93
AWARDS & GRANTS
REGIONAL ARTS & CULTURE COUNCIL Project Grant "Our Fates Are Connected intaglio" series, 2011
ABRAHAM & ANNA C. HELMAN Thesis Award, 1999
VIVIAN & GORDON GILKEY Printmaking Scholarship, 1999
STEPHEN E. THOMPSON MEMORIAL Fine Art Scholarship, 1999
ROBERT & MARTHA GAMBLIN ARTIST COLOR AWARD, 1998
BEAUX ARTS SOCIETY Annual Award, 1998
CAREY LIFE DRAWING AWARD, 1998
LOUIS BUNCE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 & 1998
ROBERT C. LEE PRINTMAKING SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 & 1998
NANCY TONKIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, 1997 - In Kind Contributions from Gamblin Artist Colors, Art Media, and Horatio Hung-Yan Law
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(Portland, Or.,) Artemisia Garden Nursery & Gallery; Owner, Artist, Garden Designer. ‘04 -‘10 Bob Gamblin Conservation Colors; Research and Development for Conservation Paint. ‘06 - ‘09 P.C.C., Rock Creek Campus; Life Drawing Instructor. ‘02 - ‘04 Citybikes; Bicycle Mechanic and Co-Op Member. ‘99 - ‘04 The Haven Project; “Designated” Mural Painter for disadvantaged youths’ theater ‘98 - ‘01
