BIO

I am a South Florida resident. I am an American Indian. And I am an artist.

I’m Michael Peconge, a 55-year-old native of Fort Wayne, Ind., and a graduate of Butler University. I spend much of my life creating engaging, stimulating and unusual illustrations.

Here’s what a friend wrote about me in a review of my work:

“The artist has created an array of illustrations with a sense that is visceral, primal and triggers guttural reactions. … Men will certainly be drawn to the imagery with the clearly evident masculine inspirations and hard edges while the female mind will be tempted to find the lightness amongst the dark. Bottom line — visually engaging and mentally stimulating and worth the viewing.”

Mind to pen – that’s the notion of my art, inspired by my heritage as a member of the Miami Indian Nation of Indiana. My mother painted. My uncles worked with wood. My cousins always drew. I started drawing as a kid, and I never stopped. I would doodle in school, and before I knew it, my art transformed into shapes, creatures and primal figures. Now I have added Photoshop to the collection in many forms.

Yet I always found myself active in sports. I received a football scholarship to attend Butler University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. I became the first Peconge to attend college. That goes back all the way to my great, great grandfather – the last tribal chief of the Miami Indians.

Along the way, I continued to develop my work – inspired by masters such as Dali, who saw no right or wrong in art and who didn’t follow any rules.

“Strong bold lines and the interplay of light and dark create visually intriguing images that border on darkness,” my friend wrote in the review. “But within each he embeds elements of whimsy or comedic interjections so that he and you as the voyeur do not go over the brink into the shadows.”

Outside of my art, I work as National Sales Manager for Eight O’Clock Coffee. I also buy and sell real estate, and I have a GSA contract with the U.S. government.

Regardless of what I do, I remain who I am – a caring citizen who connects with people of all ages, who listens and offers support. I’m interested in mentoring teens who lack parents or parental guidance. I honed this passion through many years of coaching youth football, junior high football, hockey and baseball.

I recently moved to Palm Beach Gardens after 18 years as a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio. I’ve enjoyed visiting Florida’s many art festivals, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know and support local artists. My goal is to make my work a unique part of art culture, both locally and nationally.

I care for my community. I hold true to my heritage. And I create.

I appreciate your visit!