Text Box: Michael is part Native American on his fathers side, Iroquois, Cree and Sioux Indian. His father ‘s name was Lawrence. Lawrence was born a Métis in Calgary Canada on June 20th 1932 and died in 1970. Michael’s mother is part Irish, German, and Cherokee Indian. Michael is 9th generation living in Washington state on his mothers side, his GG Grandfather was Henry Paterson the Post Master of Paterson Washington. The town of Paterson was named in honor of Henry. Michael served in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1984 and In 1978 he became the Regiments Best Rifleman and was awarded a trophy and a US savings bond. During his tour of duty he was given numerous awards and accommodations. His Military career ended shortly after he was injured during a combat training exercise. He received a good conduct medal prior to his honorable discharge in 1984. He is a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veteran’s DAV. After the military he worked for the Seattle VA medical center where he helped many disabled Veterans like himself get a new and difficult start in the civilian world.. Before he joined the service his goal in life was to be a practicing artist, so after the service he decided to pick up a brush and start painting. His media is oils and digital imagery. While he was attending high school at Sunnyside Senior High in 1976 he entered the Yakima County’s Bicentennial Art Contest and won a second place medal. During one of his outings he came across some old wood engraved newspaper prints of art scenes by artists from around the world during the late 1800’s. Each scene required several hours for a hand engraver to complete, judging by the details of the scenes the engraver would have to be just as talented as the artist to achieve such amazing detail and artistry. Time took it’s toll on the newspaper prints so Michael restored them to their natural beauty and added some of his own creativity to make them more beautiful, decorative, and interesting for everyone to enjoy without changing their originality.

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 Information about American artist Michael Skyles.