Michael Bast
Illustrator
With more than twenty years experience, Michael Bast has carved out a reputation for illustrations of a stylized realism that draw the eye with a skilled use of light, bright colors, and tactile warmth. His talent for commercial art was recognized early on when in his teens local not for profits began calling upon him to create their corporate identities.
In 1982, Michael began freelancing for Source, Inc., a consultant firm that specializes in package esign. With that concept illustration experience as a foundation, he bridged into final illustration. After eight years of working exclusively for Source, he became independent from the studio and developed his own client base. By 1990, he began honing digital techniques based on all he had learned in traditional media. Michael has been a forerunner in mastering digital emulation that honor and enhance traditional media while maintaining the versatility of the digital environment that clients expect.
As Michael explains, "I can quickly accommodate a client's changes by making corrections in the same media that was used to paint the original, without compromising expression. The traditional illustrator using oils might require anywhere from several hours to several days to make the same correction."
Michael's portfolio is focused on food and product illustration rendered in a variety of styles and techniques, including acrylic, watercolor, woodcut, and technical airbrush. Realism with warmth is a hallmark of his work. Clients often comment that his work does not have the artificial look of digital illustration but exudes the beauty of natural media. "My goal is to draw and paint images that mirror the best of the past," explains Michael.
Michael's signature style was honored when the industry bestowed the coveted Clio award for a project he did for Kraft. Other satisfied clients include Proctor and Gamble, SC Johnson, Post, Oscar Mayer and Wal-Mart. If you've been eating healthy lately, you might have noticed his lifelike fruit and vegetables on Hidden Valley salad dressing bottles.
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