I am a mixed media artist with roots in photography. As a child, I was drawn to the mystery and excitement of watching for imagery to develop in my darkroom. In an effort to recreate a similar feeling of wonder while creating art in a world dominated by digital photography, I turned to silk screens.

My process most often begins with a camera. I capture, both, the uncommon and familiar sights of city life with a discerning and creative eye: both celebrating the city’s rich history and recording its fast-paced changes. I also collect  relevant historical imagery and other iconography to add to my final compositions. It is from here that I transform from photographer to mixed media artist. Rather than relying on digital platforms such as Photoshop to edit, crop, layer, and otherwise transform my imagery, I create silk screens. One at a time, I hand-pull color through these screens, layering hundreds of images into vibrant arrangements of recognizable icons. It is thru this process that I developed an urban, collage aesthetic of my own.

Each of my works contributes to a larger story, reflecting my belief that art is an ongoing dialogue. While I have largely honed my craft through self-directed exploration, my extensive career in marketing and design has deeply informed my understanding of color, composition, and form. For me, technical methods are tools that serve the broader purpose of shaping and unfolding the story within the work itself.  I use an unorthodox approach to screen printing with a need to explore and push the bounderies of the process and my art.

I am drawn to subjects that reflect urban living, cultural transformation, social observation and technology, approaching these themes with curiosity and enthusiasm. My goal is to breathe life into these topics in ways that allow a new connection and meaning. In a way, I am my own architect by creating new structures that juxtapose photography and found images with relevant and most often commercial symbols and icons. They shouldn’t always go together but do.  

From large-scale murals to more intimate studio creations, my work spans a spectrum of formats while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. I embrace the intersection of past and present, weaving contemporary design with touches of nostalgia. This interplay creates an evocative contrast between the artistic and the commercial, resulting in work that resonates with a broader audience.

Michael Crossett is a mixed media artist and designer living in Washington, DC. He received a BS in Advertising and Marketing at George Mason University in 1997 and from 2007 - 2010 he studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC focusing on printmaking, bookmaking and graphic design. 

He worked most recently as the Creative Director for Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) in Washington, DC. There he led a team of designers to develop brands for large commercial real estate developments in the Mid-Atlantic. He also worked in marketing and design for Clements International, an international insurance company. His many roles in marketing and design have developed a unique perspective that Michael brings to all of his projects. 

His experience living and traveling abroad, has created a life-long fascination with urban life, different cultures and contemporary design. Michael creates vibrant, layered compositions using digital photography and screen printing. He is now beginning to experiment with 3D elements incorporating laser cut objects, concrete and metal in to his work. 

The son of a military family, Michael spent his childhood in Japan, Hawaii and host of US cities. He settled 20 years ago in Washington DC, where he lives and works today.