In the late 1960s and early '70s, I attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio studying psychology, anthropology, and art, earning a BFA in 1973. I discovered the paintings of Edward Hopper and the photography of Robert Frank (The Americans) whose work started me down a road I continue to travel today.

I came to the West in 1976, seduced by the spectacular landscapes, the big sky, and the character and diversity of the people.  For more than 30 years, I have explored its mind-blowing vastness and surprising subtlety. In that time, I've traveled down many a highway. I've traveled Route 66 from Albuquerque to Santa Monica collecting images and experiences along the way. In the studio, I recreate those experiences in paint.

I live to get out on the road, explore, get overwhelmed by the landscape, get hollowed out by the experience, take all the photos I can, make sketches, then get back in the studio and paint. It's a great life.

Michael Baum specializes in contemporary representational paintings of the western and southwestern landscape. He is represented in many private, corporate, and public collections nationally and internationally.