Michael DeMeglio

Minneapolis, MN

“Immersing myself in the experience of creation is the best way to paint. I love working outdoors and frequently set up en Plein air along the St. Croix Riverfront.”

Introduced to art by a close friend in high school, Michael DeMeglio (he/him) soaked up the knowledge of his friend’s style of drawing cartoons before developing his own style via illustrating comic book characters and copying record album covers, often using the back of t-shirts as his canvas. Early motifs within Michael’s t-shirt designs were Crosby Stills and Nash, Cat Stevens, Tea for the Tillerman, and the Steve Miller Band. These t-shirt paint designs were what Michael considered his first accomplishment ‘as a true artist.’

Working as a deafblind intervener, Michael has experience in helping those with severe hearing and vision loss gain access to environmental information, facilitating communication, as well as assisting in promoting social and emotional development. He can relate as he was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of 2 and has had to navigate through a world that relies much on hearing. At times, this made it harder to hold jobs that were made for hearing individuals. Still, Michael sees the positive in this, stating, “The hard times I have been through in life enabled me the ability to express my emotions and thoughts onto paper and canvas.”

During Michael’s divorce nearly a decade ago, he used the necessity of starting over, as a jumpstart to his art career, giving him the ability to express his inner emotions that were otherwise difficult to put into words. “I have had many small individual moments where using various mediums to pour out what I was struggling with, or unable to express in words, will get placed onto canvas,” finding painting easier than talking.

In the past, Michael's style has been “raw and expressive and somewhat abstract.” As a prolific artist, Michael enjoys challenging himself artistically, never saying ‘no’ to something he’s not created before, and throughout the years, this chain of saying ‘yes’ has allowed Michael’s work to mature and deepen both in meaning and technique. “I've learned that I like to push the envelope in creativity. I like to think of art that hasn't been done before or created. I have found myself pulling up works from my past experiences and recreating them with the discipline and mindset I have now. I find my work has become more dynamic and deep.”

When starting a new piece, Michael enjoys being surprised by the creativity and whimsy within; ‘what if I were to create this?’ is often the question he asks himself, and with a restaurant napkin in hand, Michel jots down ideas or themes from which to quickly return to his studio to get onto the canvas. Michael finds coffee shops and cafes good for more than just napkins. He also will invite friends and strangers alike to sit for him within a bustling cafe while he paints or sketches from his impromptu live model. This en plein air practice, reminiscent of Impressionism masters long ago, has become a go-to gig in his community, drawing interest and compliments from passersby as well as inspiring him to become involved to a greater degree within his local visual arts community. Michael has won a citywide poster contest showcasing the jazz fest, as well as exhibiting work at the Minneapolis Saint Paul airport, and competing (and winning!) the “ArtBattle Minnesota,” an event wherein talented artists “battle it out in three rounds of 20-minute masterpieces, all created with open materials.”

Whether taking top honors in an artistic battle or painting in public spaces amongst his community, Michael appreciates the personal experiences and human interaction that his artistic career has afforded him. He is also keenly aware of how his art allows himself to grow, reflect, and adapt. “Creating art has given me the freedom of expression by uplifting my visual perspectives, using a different color palette, and changing my outlook. Trying new colors has helped shape my emotions and individual self awareness that in turn, uplift others, and make people happy and appreciate what they see in my work.”

When Michael isn’t creating, he enjoys volunteering at his local church, gardening, and excelling as a backyard pizza chef. His creativity boils over into his hobbies as well. He shares, “I took gardening to a new level and added a mini outdoor golf inside the garden. This enables me to have a round of golf while keeping the weeds at bay.” Wherever Michael goes, his ingenuity and innovation will follow.