About

Michael Wills is a contemporary painter whose work serves as a visceral exploration of light, urban energy, and human emotion. Renowned for a signature style characterized by intense palette-knife textures and a kaleidoscope of colours, Wills captures the atmospheric rhythm of global cityscapes, abstracts and ships, translating the brilliance of metropolitan life into cohesive, resonant canvases.

His artistic practice is rooted in a foundation of discipline and high-stakes performance, traits carried over from a distinguished career in professional ice hockey. This background informs the physical, almost athletic, application of his medium; each stroke is an intentional release of energy, resulting in a significant yet sophisticated aesthetic that bridges the gap between raw power and refined composition. Born just outside of Toronto, Ontario, soon, the hockey stick would be replaced with an artist’s brush.

Wills’ work is defined by its luminosity and depth. By deconstructing the visual noise of urban environments, he invites the viewer into a meditative space where colour functions as both the subject and the storyteller. His process is a pursuit of resonance—seeking the exact point where texture and tone meet to evoke a specific memory or feeling. Every piece that Michael creates is the product of an intense release of emotional energy. 

Michael has established an extensive international footprint. His work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions and galleries across the world’s major art capitals, including being represented Parkline Gallery in Manhattan, NYC. As well as, Mido Gallery from Columbia in Miami, Florida, with his work featuring during the Miami Art Basel Red Dot. Michael also had his paintings showcased in the Peach Gallery in Toronto and his artwork in the fashion week runway in London. In 2020, along with a select group of artists, Michael represented Canada at the ArtCapital salon in Paris.

Michael Wills currently maintains his studio practice in Toronto, Canada, where he continues to push the boundaries of contemporary abstraction for a growing base of private and corporate collectors worldwide.

For Inquiries regarding commissions or available works please contact Michael through the contact on this website.  

Gallery Representations

  • Parkline Gallery – Manhattan, New York City, USA

  • Mido Gallery – Medellin, Columbia, (Miami ArtBasel)

  • The Peach Gallery – Toronto, Canada

  • ARTCapital Independent Salon Grand Palais – Canadian Representative, Paris, France

Selected Solo Exhibitions

  • 2022–23 | Dark Night of the Soul, The Peach Gallery – Toronto, Canada

  • 2018 | City Nights, Art Square Gallery – Toronto, Canada

  • 2017 | The Great ‘Scape, Northern Contemporary Gallery – Toronto, Canada

  • 2016 | Downtown Macon, The Sochi Gallery – Georgia, USA

International Art Fairs & Group Exhibitions

  • 2025 | Red Dot Miami (Art Basel), Mido Gallery – Miami, USA

  • 2024 | ArtBox Projects 4.0 (Art Basel) – Miami, USA

  • 2024 | Gafencu Magazine / What Elephant – Macau, China

  • 2023 | Show Ur Heart, IDFK Gallery, – Toronto Canada

  • 2021 | Arts Come Alive Exhibition, – Ohio USA

  • 2020 | ARTCapital Independent Salon, Grand Palais – Paris, France

  • 2020 | Pingyao International Art Exhibition – Pingyao, China

  • 2019 | Spoke Club Gallery Spring Exhibition, – Toronto Canada

  • 2019 | F.A.M. Festival Distillery District, – Toronto Canada

  • 2018 | Zenith Art Gallery (Miami Art Basel), – Miami USA

  • 2015 | At The Mercy of Neptune, Oswego Art Association – Oswego, USA

Art Residencies

  • 2024-26 | Curatus Private Wine Club – Toronto Canada

  • 2025-26 | Dymon Private Wine Cellar – Toronto Canada

Education

Bachelor of Fine Art - Graphic Design and Painting, 2015 Oswego State University

Intern At The Mercy of Neptune with NASA space painter Don Gillespie, 2015 Oswego USA