Michael French is a self-taught artist whose practice has developed from a deeply personal form of creative therapy into an expressive exploration of memory, emotion and freedom. Working primarily within abstract expressionism, he creates energetic compositions shaped by instinctive mark-making, spontaneity and an ongoing relationship with music.
French’s artistic development has been driven by experimentation and a lifelong commitment to creativity, alongside mentorship from artist Marina Emphietzi. His work draws on personal history, rebellion and emotional release, favouring direct and intuitive expression over representation.
Music and punk culture are central influences within his practice. The raw energy of garage rock, live performance and the visual language of rebellion inform both the rhythm and emotional intensity of his work. Artists including Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso have also shaped his interest in experimentation, individuality and psychological depth.
Working from his home studio, French uses drawing, pastel, charcoal and paint to create spontaneous works that explore energy, memory and personal liberation.
Are you self-taught, or did you undertake formal artistic training?
My artistic journey began as a deeply personal form of therapy and evolved into a powerful creative practice shaped largely through self-teaching, experimentation and lifelong passion. While I am primarily self-taught, my artistic development has also been supported and encouraged through mentorship under artist Marina Emphietzi, whose guidance has helped refine my confidence and creative direction.
How would you define your visual language or conceptual approach?
My work is grounded in abstract expressionism, embracing spontaneity, instinct, memory and emotional intensity. Through bold mark-making and dynamic compositions, I prioritise freedom, personal truth and energetic expression over direct representation.
Can you describe your creative process from conception to completion?
Working from my home studio, my process is driven by visual research, emotional response and immersive creativity. Through drawing, pastel, charcoal and paint, I channel raw energy into spontaneous compositions, often allowing music to shape rhythm and momentum.
Does narrative, symbolism, or storytelling play a role within your work?
My work reflects personal history, rebellion, therapeutic release and emotional positivity. It often serves as a visual extension of lived experience and creative liberation.
Which artists have most influenced you historically or contemporarily and why?
Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dalí, Frank Auerbach, Francis Bacon and Pablo Picasso have all profoundly influenced my work through their bold experimentation, psychological depth and uncompromising individuality.
What personal, cultural, or environmental influences shape your practice?
My practice is deeply informed by punk culture, garage rock, music and the raw energy of rebellion. A defining influence was witnessing Paul Simonon’s early public art and The Clash’s live performance in 1976, which cemented the powerful relationship between sound and visual expression.
Where is your studio based, and how does the space inform your creativity?
I work from my home studio, where personal freedom, music and uninterrupted creative exploration shape my artistic rhythm.
Do you have any rituals or rhythms that anchor your studio practice?
Music is central to my process, particularly immersive listening sessions that allow instinct, emotion and spontaneity to guide each work.
What bodies of work or projects are you currently developing?
I continue to expand my abstract expressionist practice through emotionally charged works that explore energy, memory and personal freedom.
Where can collectors encounter or acquire your work?
Collectors can discover my work through exhibitions, artistic collaborations and direct engagement.
