A B O U T    T H E    A R T I S T

Peter Michelena is an Los Angeles native and graduate of Art Center College
of Design. While at Art Center studying Illustration, Michelena developed an
interest in photography that would eventually become the foundation for his
future work. Initially, he focused on shooting fashion, greatly influenced by
one of his instructors, fashion photgraphy icon, Paul Jasmin. Jasmin exposed
him to classic image makers like Avedon, Horst and Lartigue. Michelena found
he had great admiration for not just the great fashion photgraphers, but also
early photographers such as Steichen, Steiglitz and the pictorialists of the 1800's.
He was fascinated by the tools and techniques that allowed a skilled photographer
to control and manipulate the image, and began to explore ways to combine the
craft of photography with his painter's sensibilities. He tried bleaching and toning
the image and experimented with alternative processes, like liquid photo-emulsions
applied to salvaged surface materials. His work received many accolades and was
subsequently published by Art Center, recognized for it's inventive techniques and
skillfull execution.

After graduating from Art center in 1991, Michelena began his career as a photo-
illustrator, creating distinctive album cover art and movie posters. For the next
ten years, Michelena worked with many of the major record labels and movie
advertising agencies, producing stunning art work for album packages, such as
virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai's, Sex and Religion and movies like Apollo 13 and
The Rock. With each new project, Michelena continued to push the boundaries,
ever evolving, as he continued to develop and refine his unique style.

In 2000, Michelena shifted his focus to fine art and opened Melrose Lightspace
in West Hollywood. Melrose Lightspace is a unique, 1600 sqft. multi-use studio,
createdto support the local artistic community as well as provide resources to
charitable causes and those who support them. In the ten years since opening,
Melrose Lightspace has hosted numerous performances and art exhibitions, and
continues to feature some of the most original and talented emerging artists
in the L.A. area.

Michelena's personal work debuted auspiciously in 2003 at the Soho Gallery in
Studio City, CA. The series consisted of large scale mixed media pieces, created
using antiquecameras. The subject matter ranged from life size nudes to iconic
scenes of Maine and New York City. Immediately the work began to sell and had
sold out within the first six weeks. Michelena quickly developed a following of
celebrity patrons as well as serious collectors. After several successful years
with Soho, Michelena decided to take some time off, focusing his energy on the
studio and teaching through Scholastic Advantage Enrichment, an organization
providing supplemental art and science education for children in L.A. area ele-
mentary schools.

In early 2009 Michelena returned to making art. Continuing with his philosophy
of  experimentation, his most recent work employs encaustic- painting with
melted bees wax, applied to dreamlike images. Michelena explores the idea of
visualmemory as a catalyst for emotional experience. The images are strangely
familiarscenes of day to day life viewed through the minds eye. With this series
Michelena often chooses to start with a color image, which he then slowly glazes
with layer after transparent layer of subtle color. The resulting works are powerful
and hypnotic, gently drawing the viewer in, inviting them to expore their own
subconcious thoughts and feelings. Michelena's work may be viewed by appoint-
ment and is available in a variety of sizes and formats. Please inquire for details.

Non-Profits Michelena supports:

The Relational Center- http://www.relationalcenter.org/

Friends of El Faro- http://www.friendsofelfaro.com/

War Ate My Heart- http://www.waratemyheart.org/



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