Explosions, fistfights, terrifying villains and amazing heroes were what first captured Michael Regina’s young artistic mind. He became fascinated with comic books and illustration at a very young age. As a toddler it was not uncommon for his parents to have a beloved novel or book turned into his latest sketch diary.
This love for illustration stayed with him all throughout his school years and even into college where he began to take his first fine art courses. Between continuously submitting portfolios of his work to comic book publishers and struggling to take in his first real academic training as an artist, Michael began to feel a tension within his art.
During his junior year at the University of North Florida, Michael took his first painting class under master portraitist and painter Kyle Keith. The class stimulated and challenged him in new ways. The defining moment came when Keith brought to show the class a book of landscape and genre paintings by the American artist John Singer Sargent. It was as if a light bulb had switched on in Michael’s head and his entire artistic direction had shifted.
Since that time Michael has devoted his time to learning and improving his painting and drawing skills. He was extremely blessed to have studied under many of the most notable artists in his area, including: Louis Freshman Brown, Kyle Keith and Paul Ladnier. Of his work, most notable are his portraits, which have been his focus. During his senior year his portrait of his good friend Robert Krahn was exhibited and he also began to accept his first portrait commissions. Also this same year, his portrait painting entitled “Rodney” received two awards including a purchase award by the University of North Florida where it is now displayed in their permanent collection. In addition to these honors, Michael also won a juror’s prize and sold his painting “Simpler Times” in his final student exhibition.