American painter Michael Carson studied design at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design before becoming a fine artist. He didn’t start painting until several years after graduating in 1996, now creating paintings with an atmospheric realism inspired by Norman Rockwell, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and John Singer Sargent.
For Carson, who was born and raised in Minneapolis and is now based in Arizona, every work is a chance to explore the interplay of color and light. Carson is also fascinated by texture, with how the movement of the brush guides the eye and can drastically alter the mood of a painting. “I like the fact that the face can be such a subtle subject, and one brushstroke can be the difference in the feel of the entire piece,” he has stated.
As a figurative painter and visual storyteller in the mold of Joseph Lorusso, Carson often focuses on solitary women, particularly concentrating on fashion and settings like nightclubs and cafés, embodying the mood of a moment. Never objectified, his subjects and especially the depth of their facial expressions reflect Carson’s desire to follow in French painter Toulouse-Lautrec’s footsteps and “just exist and observe and create,” as he told Resident magazine. Music is a major influence, with Carson borrowing song lyrics for titles and painting the cover of American singer-songwriter Matt Berninger’s 2020 album Serpentine Prison.
Allowing globs of paint to trail down the canvas, Carson wipes away colors to create a translucent glaze, layering patterns and figures to ghostly effect. These techniques are aimed at shifting viewer perspective and encouraging a closer look at the detailed brushwork and what’s happening just under the surface of his muted palettes.
Find Michael Carson’s art on 1stDibs.
"Italian Chair" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Italian Chair" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting and is framed in a black float frame. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painte...
Wood Panel, Oil
"Becky Doesn't Get It"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Patti Cake"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Wood Panel, Oil
$12,000
"Portrait of Britt Daniel, " Original Oil Painting with Resin by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Portrait of Britt Daniel" is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis...
Wood Panel, Oil
$15,000
"Gent"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
“My work is first and foremost figurative studies. It’s what I like to paint, my biggest challenge and my greatest payoff. My nondescript surroundings help me create a mood or a stor...
Canvas, Oil
"Stolen" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Stolen" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of...
Wood Panel, Oil
"Charades"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Land" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Land" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of A...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Watcher" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Watcher" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. This beautiful, handcrafted oil painting rests at 30 x 22", a...
Wood Panel, Oil
"Just Think of It"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
"Just Think of It" is a moody, figurative oil painting that layers soft pale blues against deep grays and black, creating a quiet tension. A stylish man sits at the edge of a couch, ...
Canvas, Oil
"Tacchi a Spillo"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
“My work is first and foremost figurative studies. It’s what I like to paint, my biggest challenge and my greatest payoff. My nondescript surroundings help me create a mood or a stor...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Smoking Jacket"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
"All Roads Lead Home" Original Oil Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "All Roads Lead Home" is an original, handmade oil painting that is framed in a black float frame. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painte...
Wood Panel, Oil
$30,000
"Calze"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
“My work is first and foremost figurative studies. It’s what I like to paint, my biggest challenge and my greatest payoff. My nondescript surroundings help me create a mood or a stor...
Oil, Wood Panel
$22,000
"7"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Red Tights" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Red Tights" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting and is framed in a black float frame and is ready to hang. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a M...
Wood Panel, Oil
Price Upon Request
"Full Circle"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
Price Upon Request
"Bluff"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collec...
Bronze
$18,046
H 20 in W 14 in
La Parisienne - Impressionist Portrait Oil Painting by Jean Beraud
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed full length portrait circa 1890 by French impressionist painter Jean Beraud. The work depicts a Parisian lady in a green tuile skirt, a blue jacket with fur and black lace up ...
Oil, Panel
$1,309
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 1.19 in
Landscape 20 - 21st Century Contemporary Impressionistic Landscape Painting
By Frank Dekkers
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Frank Dekkers Landscape 20 15 x 20 cm (framed, included in price 20 x 25 cm) oil on Panel About the artist: Frank Dekkers, an outdoor painter, but not a "square painter" as we know...
Oil, Wood Panel
$3,874
H 29.14 in W 29.14 in D 1.19 in
Winter Café, Sloane Square- original impressionism oil painting-contemporary Art
By Michael Alford
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Panel
$4,826
H 29.14 in W 38.98 in D 1.19 in
Trafalgar Square, North -original impressionism oil painting-contemporary Art
By Michael Alford
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Panel
$1,309
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 1.19 in
Landscape 16 - 21st Century Contemporary Impressionistic Landscape Painting
By Frank Dekkers
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Frank Dekkers Landscape 16 15 x 20 cm (framed, included in price 20 x 25 cm) oil on Panel About the artist: Frank Dekkers, an outdoor painter, but not a "square painter" as we know...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Mood in Orange, " Oil Painting
By Suchitra Bhosle
Located in Denver, CO
Suchitra Bhosle's "Mood in Orange" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a dark haired woman, in vivid orange clothing, tilting her head a...
Oil, Panel
Echoes
Located in Burlingame, CA
Echoes, oil on panel, 25 x 24 inches /framed in minimal light wood, 25 x 25 inches. Ready to hang and enjoy. Condition new and excellent. Artist signed, titled and dated. Influenc...
Oil, Panel
Melancholy in White
By Suchitra Bhosle
Located in Denver, CO
Reclining figure with flowers
Oil, Panel
$4,486
H 25.99 in W 36.23 in D 1.19 in
The Bluebird - original impressionism cityscape oil painting - contemporary Art
By Michael Alford
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Panel
$6,164
H 48.04 in W 27.56 in D 1.97 in
Feeling Good -21st Century Portrait Painting of a young guy
By Carolien van Olphen
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Carolien van Olphen Feeling Good Oil on wood panel 122 x 70 cm (Framed 130 x 78 cm, frame is included) Dutch artist Carolien van Olphen has left a great impression in many places w...
Oil, Wood Panel
$4,826
H 29.14 in W 38.98 in D 1.19 in
Bloomsbury - original impressionism oil painting-contemporary Art
By Michael Alford
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Oil, Panel
$1,309
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 1.19 in
Landscape 09 - 21st Century Contemporary Impressionistic Landscape Painting
By Frank Dekkers
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Frank Dekkers Landscape 09 15 x 20 cm (framed, included in price 20 x 25 cm) oil on Panel About the artist: Frank Dekkers, an outdoor painter, but not a "square painter" as we know...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Verðandi" (2025) Oil Portrait Painting on Panel
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Verandi (the "" is pronounced like a "th") is one of the Norse fates. She is the allotter of time, the winder, and the one that determines how long ones thread will be in the tapestr...
Oil, Panel
"Slant"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
"Slant" is a captivating figurative oil painting that evokes the serenity of a coastal escape. Set against a palette of soft light blues and sun-washed tans, the composition features...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 26 in W 20 in
"Holding" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Holding" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College o...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 26 in W 20 in
"Proposition" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Proposition" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis Colle...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 50 in W 38 in
"Purgatory Heaven" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Purgatory Heaven" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis ...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 24 in W 18 in
"Resigned" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Resigned" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting that is framed in a black float frame. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, a...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 22 in W 32 in
"The Cicadas" (2024) Original Oil Animal Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "The Cicadas" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis Colle...
Oil, Wood Panel
Sold
H 50 in W 38 in
"Dimensional" (2024) Original Oil Portrait Painting by Michael Carson
By Michael Carson
Located in Denver, CO
Michael Carson's (US based) "Dimensional" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting. About the Artist: Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis Colle...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Pieces"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Wood Panel
"Float"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Resin, Oil
"1st & 7th"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Michael Carson has been called the “post-millennial Toulouse-Lautrec.” Like the turn of the century French master, Carson is a self-described people watcher. He paints figures with a...
Oil, Board
"Woman in Blue"
By Michael Carson
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Carson is a Minneapolis painter, and graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, whose artwork can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the Unite...
Oil, Panel