Phone: 480-575-7857
Cell: 480-330-8255
Home: 480-664-1373
Address: 37555 N. Hum Rd. #103
Carefree, AZ, 85377
Email: stoyanovfineart@yahoo.com
Hours: Daily 10 Am - 5 PM
Cell: 480-330-8255
Home: 480-664-1373
Address: 37555 N. Hum Rd. #103
Carefree, AZ, 85377
Email: stoyanovfineart@yahoo.com
Hours: Daily 10 Am - 5 PM
Michael Stoyanov was born on November 21, 1949 in the hill village Balkantzi, located in the vicinity of Bulgaria’s medieval capital - Veliko Tarnovo. He was raised with the sounds of hammers and anvil in the family of a barrel craftsman and a peasant woman. His mother used to bring him with her to the fields where she was working, and among aromas of thyme and yarrow Michael’s imagination was deeply impressed by the humble beauty of his people.
In 1972 Stoyanov earned an MFA degree from the University of Veliko Tarnovo, specializing in painting. The young artist was intrigued by the expressive means of photorealism and focused on compositions and portraits. “I drew thematic sources for my painting from the village workers, the unheard of, the unseen, the suffering, the lonely...” The titles of his paintings speak for themselves - “On the field”, “Idyll”, “Distance”, “My father began to contemplate”, “Our past”, “, “Loneliness”, etc. His sharp technique and compassionate perspective quickly caught the attention of the critics, resulting in art magazines publications and museum purchases.
In 1977 Stoyanov visited Paris and its art museums, where he was thrilled to see the original masterpieces of the artists he admired and held as models - Manet, Van Gogh, Titian. In 1983 he held his first solo exhibit in the most prestigious art venue in Bulgaria, the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, followed by 16 more solo exhibits in various cities in Bulgaria. Since his early days as an artist Michael cherished the friendship and mentoring of the late Dimitar Kazakov - one of Bulgaria's most renowned artists. In the mid-80s Stoyanov's preferred artistic form became the landscape, crafted with palette knife and oils; his thematic inspiration - his home town, Veliko Tarnovo and its surrounding picturesque villages. In 1986 Stoyanov was invited to participate in an international painting symporisum en plein air in Krakow, Poland. Communicating with fellow artists gave renewed creative energy to the artist, who was eager to expand his horizons. While he was successful with the juried state exhibitions, which were the primary source of livelihood for artists under the socialist regime, Michael was also among the first artists in Bulgaria who strove to create a market economy for their art, to establish a direct connection with the customer, and gain foreign exposure. Hundreds of private collectors from all over the world enjoy the paintings of Michael Stoyanov. “I feel great pleasure when I am in contact with my fans, in seeing people’s enthusiasm about my art”, says the artist. “I still remember when a team of reporters from the Japanese national TV purchased 17 of my paintings during their 3-day stay in the historic Bulgarian village Arbanassi, where I used to paint and exhibit my artwork. They were gathered around me, as I was painting from nature, and were waiting for me to finish the painting in order to buy it.”
In 1992 Stoyanov and his family took advantage of the opening of frontiers in Eastern Europe and immigrated to the United States. In 1995 the family was granted permanent U.S. residence on the basis of Michael’s recognized "extraordinary abilities" as an artist. In the United States Stoyanov skillfully translated his artistic vision to communicate with his new audience and has organized 6 solo exhibits. He has won an award publication in the Manhattan Arts International Magazine in 1996 for the painting "My Father Began to Contemplate". He actively participates in art festivals and has won best of show and ribbon awards numerous times. In October 1999 Michael and his wife Ekaterina - also an artist - opened their own gallery and studio in Carefree, Arizona, where they currently paint and sell their artwork.
In 1972 Stoyanov earned an MFA degree from the University of Veliko Tarnovo, specializing in painting. The young artist was intrigued by the expressive means of photorealism and focused on compositions and portraits. “I drew thematic sources for my painting from the village workers, the unheard of, the unseen, the suffering, the lonely...” The titles of his paintings speak for themselves - “On the field”, “Idyll”, “Distance”, “My father began to contemplate”, “Our past”, “, “Loneliness”, etc. His sharp technique and compassionate perspective quickly caught the attention of the critics, resulting in art magazines publications and museum purchases.
In 1977 Stoyanov visited Paris and its art museums, where he was thrilled to see the original masterpieces of the artists he admired and held as models - Manet, Van Gogh, Titian. In 1983 he held his first solo exhibit in the most prestigious art venue in Bulgaria, the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, followed by 16 more solo exhibits in various cities in Bulgaria. Since his early days as an artist Michael cherished the friendship and mentoring of the late Dimitar Kazakov - one of Bulgaria's most renowned artists. In the mid-80s Stoyanov's preferred artistic form became the landscape, crafted with palette knife and oils; his thematic inspiration - his home town, Veliko Tarnovo and its surrounding picturesque villages. In 1986 Stoyanov was invited to participate in an international painting symporisum en plein air in Krakow, Poland. Communicating with fellow artists gave renewed creative energy to the artist, who was eager to expand his horizons. While he was successful with the juried state exhibitions, which were the primary source of livelihood for artists under the socialist regime, Michael was also among the first artists in Bulgaria who strove to create a market economy for their art, to establish a direct connection with the customer, and gain foreign exposure. Hundreds of private collectors from all over the world enjoy the paintings of Michael Stoyanov. “I feel great pleasure when I am in contact with my fans, in seeing people’s enthusiasm about my art”, says the artist. “I still remember when a team of reporters from the Japanese national TV purchased 17 of my paintings during their 3-day stay in the historic Bulgarian village Arbanassi, where I used to paint and exhibit my artwork. They were gathered around me, as I was painting from nature, and were waiting for me to finish the painting in order to buy it.”
In 1992 Stoyanov and his family took advantage of the opening of frontiers in Eastern Europe and immigrated to the United States. In 1995 the family was granted permanent U.S. residence on the basis of Michael’s recognized "extraordinary abilities" as an artist. In the United States Stoyanov skillfully translated his artistic vision to communicate with his new audience and has organized 6 solo exhibits. He has won an award publication in the Manhattan Arts International Magazine in 1996 for the painting "My Father Began to Contemplate". He actively participates in art festivals and has won best of show and ribbon awards numerous times. In October 1999 Michael and his wife Ekaterina - also an artist - opened their own gallery and studio in Carefree, Arizona, where they currently paint and sell their artwork.