Many say that creativity is sparked by discovery, learning to appreciate the world beyond your own by experiencing the new through travel, reading and learning a language. Exploring the natural world opened Michael Cade to a kind of beauty that would influence his appreciation of art and his passion for painting later in life. And seeing the world through the eyes of his artist parents would have a lifelong effect, guiding him onto the path of the creative arts.
Cade grew up immersed in the art world and early on showed an affinity for creating art—sketching and painting—a talent his parents fully supported.
“I was inspired by my parents,” says Cade. “Mom’s paintings were represented in galleries in Charleston. She continues to paint today at the age of 93. My dad was involved more in the mass production of original art, being a lithographer by trade.”
The Ohio native has lived all his adult life in South Carolina, spending summers with his grandparents at their Sullivan’s Island home, fishing and crabbing—thoroughly enjoying the small beachside community a few minutes from Charleston. He went on to attend the College of Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), obtaining his bachelor’s degree in nursing. He worked in cardiovascular medicine at MUSC for approximately 20 years as a staff nurse and then as a nurse practitioner in cardiology. After 30 years in high-stress practices, he decided to take a leap of faith and leave his medical work to explore his passion: painting what he loves. As an artist, he has been able to give full expression to his creative bent and love for the natural world. Cade found inspiration for his impressionist-style oil paintings from artists such as John Singer Sargent, Edgar Degas, Joaquín Sorolla and Andrew Wyeth.
“I spend as much time as possible outside. I love to hike and mountain bike,” he says. “My wife and I love to explore the national parks and have been fortunate to spend a lot of time out West.” Glacier and Teton National Parks are among his favorites. He says the vast, mountainous terrain and complexity of colors have deeply influenced his approach to painting.
With broad strokes of the brush, Cade renders works full of movement and vivid color. He has explored the approach of artists such as Winslow Homer and studied the work and writings of the late artist Richard Schmid, who he says influenced his impressionistic style. He also enjoys the freedom of expression the style affords him, while allowing the viewer to see the work in a way that’s personal and unique to them.
Inspiration guides the artist’s work; his wide-ranging portfolio includes everything from wildlife and still life to Western and Native American scenes to the landscapes and seascapes that are close to his heart. “I paint what moves me,” he notes. “My thinking is that, hopefully, it will move somebody else.”
Cade strives to convey the essence of the subject by telling a visual story. For example, while boating with a buddy on the Edisto River, he came upon an old fish house with a story he felt needed to be told. The Holy City’s storied past also presents countless opportunities. “I love to capture the nostalgia of Charleston’s historic buildings. A lot of my architectural works are of the beautiful old houses built in the same era in the Lowcountry, Savannah and New Orleans,” he says. “I’m inspired to paint not only Lowcountry landscapes but all over the Southeast. I have clients all over the country and several collectors locally within the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia.”
Demand is also strong across the Southeast and beyond for Cade’s wildlife renderings. When he’s not on the national parks circuit, he spends time with family in the mountains. “A lot of my North Carolina collectors enjoy seeing my wildlife paintings in their mountain cabins,” he says. “And those relationships connect me with the markets of individuals who own coastal properties.”
Many weekends find Cade exhibiting his latest artwork at shows throughout the Southeast. He tends to favor those that align with his work, developing relationships with collectors in the community. He also believes it’s important to vary the locales of shows. “It pushes my boundaries,” he explains. “The tastes of people in South Florida are not going to be the same as the tastes of people in Charleston. For instance, in South Florida, folks like bright colors and more contemporary work. Charleston clients prefer more traditional subject matter, the classic beach scenes, the old fishing boats and shrimp trawlers I love to paint.”
Cade’s work reflects his openness to new ideas. He believes that learning is a lifelong process and that with curiosity comes creativity. He also works with clients to create commissioned pieces and has a process that provides him the freedom to choose what he paints while assuring the client’s satisfaction. “The potential client tells me what they’re looking for, what they want me to paint,” explains Cade. “If it’s something I really think I can get into, tell their story well, I’ll paint it—there’s no commitment by either party—and if they like it, great; if not, I’ll show it in a gallery or at my next show.”
Cade is an associate member of the Oil Painters of America and The American Impressionist Society. *
Wendy Swat Snyder is a Charleston-based freelance writer (sweetgrassandgrits.com).
