IOWA NATIVE MICHAEL BARFIELD is an alumnus of Truman State University. He received his B.A. in fine art, studying with internationally known William Unger (student of Oscar Kokoshka). He also received certification in recording engineering from Full Sail Real World Education.

Over the past 30 years, Michael has created paintings and drawings primarily in
acrylics and color pencils; exploring ideas and images through figurative realism.

Michael has taught drawing and painting privately, worked as a free-lance illustrator and designer in publishing and was an art director for Virginia Publishing for eight years. Then, spent six years as a new media designer for ArttechUSA. Currently, he works as an artist, producer, designer, musician, and writer in the St. Louis area.

His work has been exhibited in national, regional, and local exhibitions; including The Artist’s Magazine 1994 All-Media Competition, Oklahoma Art Workshop 9th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Terrance Gallery National Juried Show, Red Barn Arts Show, and Old Orchard Fine Arts Show. His paintings and drawings are included in private and corporate markets throughout the United States.