About.
Michael Shannon is a painter and photographer based in New Jersey. He studied architecture at Princeton University. His work focuses on the intersection of structure, light, and the textures of weathered or unremarkable objects.
Background.
Shannon grew up in La Luz and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both parents were designers. He later worked as a naval intelligence officer in Morocco and San Francisco, and completed architectural internships in Switzerland.
After those years, he spent several decades in furniture design as a craftsman, as founder of Northwood Corporation, and as design director at Dunbar and Formica. He also serves as founding president of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.
He has returned to painting and photography.
Chronology.
Raised in La Luz and Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a family of designers.
1
Formative Years
Studied Engineering and Architecture at Princeton University.
2
Education
Architectural and construction internships in Switzerland; Naval Intelligence service in Morocco and California.
3
International Work
Independent craftsman; founding President of Northwood Corporation; corporate design director; independent design consultant.
4
Furniture Design
5
Civic Work
Founder and president of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, focusing on regional philanthropy and creative placemaking.
Studio Practice
6
Ongoing studio work in New Jersey, focused on painting and photography.