About

George Michaels: The Architect, The Scientist, The Artist 🎨

Hey there! If you want to know the story behind who I am and why I create, you’re looking at a journey that’s been less about following a single line and more about tracing a thrilling, complex orbit. In short, I’ve had two lives—one built on logic and data, and one now driven by texture and color—and they feed off each other beautifully.

The First Life: Extreme Science and Team Building 🚀

For decades, my name—Dr. George Michaels—was firmly planted in the world of high-stakes, extreme science. I was a pioneer in what we now call "Big Data" and computational science, often before those terms were even trendy. My work wasn't just theoretical; it was about building massive systems and organizations to make real-world breakthroughs.

I spent years at the forefront, running research divisions and being the Chief Strategist at places like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Monsanto, and even helping to establish Intel Federal Systems, LLC. At the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), I literally built a new, huge research directorate from the ground up—500 staff! My focus was on leveraging massive data and computing power to find answers in everything from genomics and life sciences to national security and biometrics.

If you ask my old colleagues what I was like, they'll tell you I was a "bold and creative visionary," but they'll also likely mention I was personable and fun to work with. I was the guy who could anticipate trends five years out and then recruit, motivate, and mentor the top talent needed to make it happen. Oh, and apparently, I'm a great chef with a refreshing knowledge of Italian cuisine and wines! So, there’s always been an underlying creative streak, even in the lab.

The Pivot: The Call of the Canvas ✨

After a career of operating at the highest level—managing teams, securing major funding, and leading innovation—a persistent creative yearning that had been quietly "simmering beneath the surface of scientific inquiry" finally took over.

I traded the lab coat for paint-splattered overalls and established GMichaels-Creative. This wasn't a sudden, chaotic departure; it was a necessary and deeply resonant artistic journey. It’s like I decided that after mastering the systems of the professional world, it was time to master a more personal one.

The Philosophy: Art as Applied Discovery

Here’s the thing that ties it all together: my art is simply a continuation of my lifelong pursuit of discovery and invention, just with a different toolkit.