Michael John Coleman is a native Washingtonian who is a nationally recognized, award winning leader in alternative process photography. Michael's work has been featured in many national magazines, newspapers, TV & radio networks, books, the internet and many major exhibitions and events.

Known for his painterly style and impressionist approach, Coleman's artwork has been published in more than 250 fine art exhibitions and has earned awards from many notable personalities in the community such as Peter Thomas, former Dean of the Corcoran Museum and Art School; David Tannous, critic for Art in America; Clare List, curator for the Baltimore Museum of Fine Art; Clifford Chieffo, contributing editor for American Artist; Howard Paine of National Geographic Magazine, and many, many more. Michael was also nominated for a 1990 ALEX Award, the highest honor the city has for the Arts.

Coleman's work is currently on display in U.S. Congressman James P. Moran's constituents' office, an ongoing display of 24 original works. Coleman's art is included in such permanent collections as Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, and thousands of private and corporate collections throughout the world.

The quality and the use of his artwork to raise public awareness about a major health issue have been acknowledged by many major government officials. In addition, some of the notables who have praised him or his advocacy work are President George W. Bush, Tipper Gore, Senators John Warner, Dr. Bill Frist, & George Allan, Congressman James P. Moran & Cliff Stearns, the late Senator Paul D. Coverdell, and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator Charles S. Robb, to name a few.

Coleman's work has been featured in many magazines and books, such as PHOTOgraphic Magazine, PROPHOTO, and The Best of Photography International. His art was featured on the cover of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds' latest book: Why Vietnam Still Matters, The War and The Wall. Coleman continues his successful marriage of using his art with Migraine disease awareness art exhibitions such as the exhibit at the Italian Cultural Institute, to live broadcasts such as a national radio interview with MAGNUM co-founder Ms. Terri Miller Burchfield at LA's Museum of Radio & Television. Past cover stories include the FDA's Journal: The FDA Consumer Magazine, and a full two-page cover story in The Washington Times to name a few. He was also featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and The Houston Chronicle. Numerous other cover stories include The Journal newspapers and DC Magazine. In addition, his work has been featured on CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, PBS, MSNBC, VOA, NPR, Reuters Television, and Lifetime television to name a few. Coleman was also featured in The Face Of Pain as one of the nations top pain advocates.

Michael studied at the University of Maryland and is completely self-taught in his primary medium --photography. Michael was an Art Director with Naval Sea Systems Command, volunteered as a Head Coach of a woman's division Mid-Maryland soccer team, was juried into the nation's oldest and largest art center-- The Torpedo Factory, and served on the Board of directors of Washington D.C.'s Art League, Inc. After a decade tenure as the only photographic resident artist at the Factory, he left due to complications thrust upon him by severe intractable Migraines. Now he uses his visual communication skills to fight for the rights of Migraine sufferers worldwide.

Michael John Coleman is the Founder and Executive Director of M.A.G.N.U.M.: Migraine Awareness Group: A National Understanding for Migraineurs, a non-profit health care organization. MAGNUM, also known as The National Migraine Association, has received endorsements from the leading Migraine and headache medical centers in the U.S., and its Board of Directors includes many leading medical experts. Coleman served on the Board of the World Headache Alliance (WHA), and was the Global Information Systems Chairman, as well as their Art Director. Michael has suffered from intractable Migraines since the age of six, and has experienced the life-altering effects of the disease. MAGNUM's use of art and media in its Public Awareness efforts allows Michael to divide his time between Migraine disease awareness advocacy and his fine art career. The union of his talents where recently noted in the October 2001 WHA Rome, Italy Abridged Migraine Disease Awareness Art Exhibition, a solo exhibit, in of course Rome, Italy, featuring his latest landscapes and figure studies including his June 2001 New York Cityscapes and post 9/11 'Angel Flag Series'. In addition to exhibitÑhis art was used to illustrate his recent lectures on Art & Migraine in Sicily, Italy & Istanbul, Turkey. Michael also has headlined the past three years in Washington, D.C. Eros I-III Art Exhibitions, and exhibited with gifted actor Paul Sorvino in the 2004 Eros IV Exhibition.

Michael John Coleman

Biography