Biography & Resume

Pop Artist Michael James Toomy paintings possess a humanity and sensitivity rarely seen in contemporary art. Giving a serious though provoking edge to his pop art style. His “Innocence” series of paintings convey the images of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. Toomy has been painting & drawing since he was a child, but has received little professional artistic schooling, with the exception of some Saturday classes at the MFA Boston & continuing art education classes over the years.

As a young man Michael spent several years as musician and songwriter and was heavily influenced by the power and ability of great songwriter’s to pen lyrics that listener’s can identify with their own experiences, their past or dreams.

Michael has been involved with Live Nation’s Rock & Art Charity Event in Boston Ma. where his portrait of musician Mark Knopfler was sold on the spot to the actress Glenn Close. He also just created “Throwaway” for Amnesty International’s Chapter “The Boston Firefly Project.” Michael currently lives & works from his studio in New Hamphsire. Michael’s work has been featured in galleries and numerous group & solo shows. The artist currently works out of his studio in New Hampshire with wife & 2 children.

Artist Statement

I have always been drawn to the relationship between black & white. Their ability to both give an image a factual weight and at the same time they give the subject a dream-like quality. In my work I try to tell a story, leaving it up the viewer to interpert just what the story is, to fill in the blanks, leaving the images loose enough that the viewer can place themselves into the piece, placing their own histories into the work. Simply stated I want the viewer to emotionally connect with the painting & interpret it's meaning for themselves.

-MJT 2008

Exhibitions & Awards

2011 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. First place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Not to Speak is to Betray…Not to Act is to Condemn.” Londonderry NH. USA.


2011 Malden Public Library/MATV. “The Innocence” Series. Solo Exhibit. Malden MA. USA.


2011 Commissioned to create “Sons of the Republic” as a touring fundraising item for Moore*Mart. Nashua, NH. USA.


2011 Open Doors. Juried exhibition and demonstration. Londonderry, NH. USA.


2010 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. First place award in acrylics for painting entitled “The Forsaken” Londonderry NH. USA.


2010 “The Celebrity” Series. Possessions Gallery. Melrose MA. USA.


2010 Juried artist at Art Fridays. Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA. USA. Exhibited and commissioned to create a portrait of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.


2010 “Kith & Kin. The American Family”. Solo Exhibit. White Birch Fine Art. Londonderry NH. USA.


2009 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. Second place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Those You Have Wronged Await Your Arrival” Londonderry NH. USA.


2009 The Art of Michael James Toomy: The Complete Portfolio. Solo Exhibit. The Hive. Pawtucket/Providence, RI. USA.


2009 “The Innocence” Series. Solo Exhibit. The Lotus & Orchard Gallery. Keene, NH. USA.


2009 “The Innocence” Series. Solo Exhibit. Center for Cultural Pluralism Gallery. University of Vermont. Burlington VT. USA.


2009 “Passionate Portraits”. Solo Exhibit. Michael Roffi’s. Newbury St. Boston, MA. USA.


2008 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. First place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Throwaway.” Londonderry NH. USA.


2008 Amnesty International’s Boston Chapter, The Boston Firefly Project. Commissioned to create “Throwaway” for event. Harvard School of Law. Cambridge MA. USA


2008 “The Celebrity” Series. An Alternating Current Event. Bukowski Tavern. Cambridge, MA.USA.


2008 “Mark Knopfler”. Commissioned by Live Nation and signed by the musician at Rock & Art Fundraiser. Painting sold to Actress Glenn Close.


2008 “Portraits of the City. Glove Box Presents. Boston, MA. USA.


2008 “Images in Black & White”. Solo Exhibit. Nolia Gallery. Amherst NH. USA.


2007 U.S. State Department. Accepted into the Art in Embassies program.


2007 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. First place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Throwaway.” Londonderry NH. USA.


2007 “Current Work” National Competition Juried exhibitor at the Rosenthal Gallery, work entitled Mother. Fayetteville State University, NC. USA


2007 Associated Arts of Ocean Shores 38th Juried Fine Art Exhibition in Ocean Shores, WA. Juried exhibitor.


2006 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. Second place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Ghosts of the Warsaw Ghetto II.” Londonderry NH. USA.


2005 Londonderry Artist Village/Art on the Common. Juried exhibit. Third place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Missing You.” Londonderry NH. USA.

Professional Experience

Artist/Owner, Londonderry Fine Art and Design 2006 - Present: Created original artwork, murals, portraits, and other design pieces for galleries, private clients, restaurants, art shows and charity events.

Freelance Artist, 1992-2006: Created original artwork, murals, storybook illustrations & children's artwork. Created original cartoon sketches, handmade furnishings, wood cutouts and other custom art pieces for clients.

Musician, 1982-1992: Singer /Songwriter for the bands Shaker & Exact in Greater Boston Area.

Art Education

School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ma. 1981-1982.

New England School of Art and Design, Boston, MA. 1992.

Pioneer School of Visual Arts, Manchester, NH. 2002.