are two names which evoke thoughts of a warmth & friendliness set amidst a simplistic, yet almost surrealistic beauty. Bermuda is a name which conjures visions of a beautiful island, steeped in a colourful, mysterious past. It is an island noted for it's friendly, relaxed slow-paced atmosphere.

Bermuda's beauty is revealed through such simplistic visions as the pastel images of pink and yellow cottages whose oddly stepped pristine white roofs adjoin many a perfect blue sky. Yet all this colour is set against the breathtaking backdrop of a turquoise sea. The island's beauty is glimpsed through the light of the sun's rays playing shadows upon a cedar gate, casting an image of a poinciana tree's branches against a time-worn wall, or a paw paw dancing across a stark white roof. Still, Bermuda's beauty may be whispered through the quiet greenery of bamboo shoots glistening in the dawn, a pink hibiscus caught in the dewy morning mist, or dark greens fading to a crisp wand of palm boughs shadowed across a cottage shuttered against the night's ocean breeze.

  Is it no wonder that the lovely little isle of Bermuda has inspired many well known artists? Artists including Homer, Wyeth and O'Keefe have spent hours before their canvas' reflecting upon the island's many beautiful gifts. Bermuda has been the home and inspiration for the work of Michael Swan for thirty-some years. Michael credits the major influences of Magritte, Homer and Dali and Hopper in assisting him to develop his style of painting.

 Michael's medium is the airbrush, which he wields with a warm, simplistic style. As a minimalist, Michael credits hyperbole,"the ability to say a lot with just a little,"as his idea of portraying the beauty of Bermuda through pastels, light, shadows and life through it's vivid greenery. His simple, yet warm style of revealing the beauty of his island home captures what we all would like to remember, having visited there just once, or after returning many times. In fact, as a visitor to the island of Bermuda we have a feeling that after experiencing it's mysterious beauty, charm and friendly atmosphere, the best way to, as the islanders say,"take a piece of the rock" home with you, is by selecting a print of Michael Swan's Bermuda.

 Michael Swan, one of Bermuda's most exciting young artists burst onto the local scene in 1985 after completing his Bachelor of Design Degree in visual communication at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Canada. Throughout his entire life, Michael has shown his artistic talent He won may awards during his elementary and high school years. He graduated from the Berkeley Institute, Pembroke, Bermuda in 1974; Irwin Academy, Great Britain in 1977; Acadia University, Nova Scotia in 1981 and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Canada in 1984.

 Michael's surrealistic, life-giving style of painting succeeds in creating an instant recognition of Bermuda wherever his work is displayed, whether it be on the island or an international exhibit. His medium being Airbrush and Acrylic has allowed him to develop his style into an ethereal perception of Bermuda. With a strong emphasis on the way Bermuda's warm Pastels interact with the true colours of nature, and the Sunlight's effect as it plays upon the various natural and everyday shapes around us creating interesting shadows, Michael creates visually striking imagery that borders on the Abstract and the Surreal.

 This exceptionally unique style has earned Michael a permanent position in Bermuda's art world. When Michael's painting "Queen of the East" was chosen to represent Bermuda in a UNESCO sponsored International World three year Caribbean Art Exhibition his international place was sure to be secured. Many of his originals already hang in numerous private collections around the world. The Caribbean Art Exhibition was in Bermuda in May 1995 and Paris in October of 1995.

 In 1992 Michael opened his own gallery "The Most Original Little Art House in Bermuda" in the Clocktower Mall in the Royal Naval Dockyard. However, he soon realised that his minute gallery did not allow him the space in which to display his growing collection of originals, popular prints and limited editions. In May of 1994 the Michael Swan Gallery opened in a newly renovated section of the Clocktower and in 1995 expanded again to double its size. Expansion again occurred in March of 1997 when "Michael Swan Gallery II" opened its doors on Front Street, Hamilton in the Butterfield Place Mall. And in the Spring of 2001 "Gallery III" will be opening in St George, Bermuda.

 His collection is housed within the galleries, and visitors and friends are encouraged to drop by for a friendly Bermudian welcome and chat. Michael is always happy to personalise a chosen print with a special message. A second story loft has been built into Gallery One and Michael may often be found up the circular staircase, airbrush in hand, or poking his head over the landing engrossed in amiably conversation. Guests to the gallery are often invited upstairs and always encouraged to sign the "infamous" guest book.

 The gallery's collection consists of many popular prints, from his very first, "BermudaPink", the always admired, "Shutters 1", "Pink Pink", the lovely shadowed "Blues", and the magnificent view from his parents home, "Homestead." The collection also includes numerous limited editions with new "Giclee's being introduced this year.  The gallery is an interesting showplace, encapsulating all of Michael's work and other items designed and created by Michael. It also features gift items, wearables and jewellery made by local and international artists and designers.  Michael has been exhibiting and selling his work since 1984. His most recent exhibits include numerous group shows, the UNESCO International Art Exhibition, Artexpo in New York, RIMS Conference in San Diego and a two-man show at the Windjammer Gallery in Hamilton, Bermuda. Michael Swan is an artist who will definitely leave his signature in the Art world now and in the future.