Michael Panagakos

[he/him]

BFA Visual Studies, 4th year

I am an artist inspired by the diversity and complexity of nature in the world around me. What draws me to art is the chance to slow down and really pay attention to what I find beautiful. I often paint animals, plants, and landscapes I’ve come across, using them as vessels to convey human conflict and emotion. These natural forms allow me to reflect on human experiences without showing them directly. Working primarily in paint, my work sits between what I see and what I imagine, blending recognizable elements from nature with something more internal.

reptilian, 2026, Oil paint on canvas, 16" x 24"

Reptilian is a work that focuses on the study of texture through paint, capturing the unique surface of an iguana’s scales through close observation. I was particularly interested in exploring how paint can mimic the rock-like patterned quality of its reptilian features, using color and light to bring out its depth and complexity. This piece is a testament to observation and the natural beauty of our world, reflecting how my love and appreciation for nature shape my practice as a painter.