BIOGRAPHY - MICHAEL J. WILKIN \r\n \r\nMichael Wilkin has been painting and drawing for most of his life. After spending his childhood in England, Germany and Kenya he arrived in Australia with his family at the age of sixteen. Based in Perth, he began his career as an apprentice for the Sunday Times newspaper. His training there as a commercial artist led him into a position with an advertising company. From there, he launched his freelance career as a noted illustrator. \r\nIn 1978, he relocated to Melbourne and has produced artwork for many clients in such diverse fields as advertising, architecture and publishing. They include The Age newspaper, Australia Post, Victorian Tourism Commission, Victorian State Opera, Museum Victoria, Village Roadshow, The Walt Disney Company and Fosters International together with leading Australian and international architects and publishers. During this time he has contributed to the training of others as a guest lecturer in illustration as well as successfully exhibiting his fine art. \r\n1999 saw Michael head to San Francisco to receive an international award from the American Society of Architectural Illustrators. Following such international recognition, his career took him to London for most of the year 2001 where he worked on various European commissions. His return to Melbourne resulted in him winning the inaugural Equitana Asia Pacific Art Award 2001. \r\nDuring 2003 and 2004 Michael was again based in London, receiving commissions from prestigious international architectural firms such as Wimberley Allison Tong & Goo, RTKL and Gensler Architects. He returned to his Melbourne studio again in 2006 producing images using both traditional and digital media. \r\nUpon entering the Equitana Art Award for a second time in 2010, Michael was successful once more when being selected as the winner of this prized award. \r\n \r\nAWARDS - MICHAEL J. WILKIN \r\n \r\n1999 Winner American Society of Architectural Perspectivists \r\n Award for Excellence in the Graphic Representation of Architecture \r\n - international competition \r\n \r\n2001 Winner Inaugural Equitana Art Award \r\n “Noble” (watercolour) \r\n - international competition \r\n \r\n2010 Winner Equitana Art Award \r\n “Fire and Ice” (mixed media) \r\n - international competition \r\n \r\n 2011 Winner Inaugural Diggers Rest Art Show \r\n + Winner People\'s Choice Award \r\n “Rodeo” (watercolour) \r\n - state competition \r\n \r\n 2011 Winner Hamag Equestrian Victoria Art Award (Painting) \r\n + Winner People\'s Choice Award \r\n “Prince Noir” (oil on canvas) \r\n - national competition \r\n \r\n 2015 Winner Kilmore Art Expo Award (Best Acrylic) \r\n “Arabian Grey” \r\n - state competition \r\n Judges Comments: “Michael’s handling of his medium is evident. Good compostion and design has led to a wonderful work.” \r\n \r\n 2016 Winner Woodend Lions Club Art Show (Best Watercolour) \r\n “Storm Over the Rock” \r\n Judges Comments: \"Possesses everything nice about Watercolour. It represents a skilful understanding of the medium. It is also emotive and moves the viewer from the realm of reality.\" \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n - state competition | 
