A native of the Chicago area, Michael Hedges first studied at the Art Institute of Chicago before earning his B.A. from Loras College in Dubuque. Since then, he has pursued life as a full-time artist, steadily refining a distinct visual vocabulary. Through line and color, Hedges conveys a wide range of emotions—both intense and subtle—creating paintings that balance raw energy with thoughtful composition. His work has been acquired by both private and public collections across the United States, highlighting the broad recognition his work has earned.

Hedges describes his paintings as a synthesis of colors. They begin as a problem of two or more color relationships to be explored through form. He approaches form loosely, sketching underlying structures that act like both skeleton and exoskeleton—frameworks that guide, yet never confine, the finished work. For him, the physical application of paint is as vital as the imagery itself. With sweeping, energetic gestures, he builds surfaces charged with texture and layered color, creating an almost tactile presence.

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Collection Focus: Ron Isaacs

Racine Art Museum

July 2 – October 25, 2025

“What does the work mean? There is some mystery, some beauty, some drama, some surprise, and a little wit. There is much about being human and being part of or apart from the natural world. There is a lot about the passage of time and the persistence of the past. There is a great deal about celebrating the joy of seeing. That said, the content remains nearly as open for me as it does for you, the viewer.”  —Ron Isaacs

Ron Isaacs continues his 50+ year career of constructing and painting wood to resemble architectural clothing and other antique objects. Purposely devoid of figures, Isaacs invites the viewer to question what they are actually seeing. In this master’s hands, wood appears to be fabric, and leaves and branches are actually carefully constructed details. Combining trompe l’oeil painting with intricate wood assembling, Isaacs presents new sculptures that quietly demand a careful look to determine their true nature.

Isaacs has mounted numerous solo exhibitions nationwide and has work in the permanent collection of Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI; Hunstville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL; Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY; as well as many private and corporate collections.

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