Born in 1960, Michael Binkley is primarily a self taught artist. His artistic talent was evident at an early age and through perseverance and dedication, he is now one of Canada's leading stone sculptors. Binkley maintains his gallery and studio in Vancouver, BC, Canada with his wife and business partner, Michelle. Binkley's initial inspiration to turn to stone sculpture occurred in 1980 while he was in Florence, Italy. He encountered Michelangelo's four unfinished "Captives" at the Accademia di Belle Arte, which struck a chord deep inside him. He discovered he was able to see a finished sculpture hidden in stone and from that moment, a transformation began which has shaped the soul of an Artist. Since his experience with the "Captives," Binkley's desire to create has been continuous and prolific. Inspiration for his sculptures comes from his life experiences and observations and it is a rare moment when his sensors are turned off. He feels privileged that he found his calling at such an early stage and has been able to pursue his passion. The sensory joy one experiences from feeling a polished stone is something no other material can provide. There is an ancient, primal link between Man and stone, and few viewers can resist the urge to run their hand over Binkley's sculptures. Sculpture occupies space in our world and allows for a deeper connection through the sense of touch. Binkley strives to create sculpture which will seduce the viewer's eye, stir the soul, and entice the viewer to touch. He carves as much of the details of a particular subject as he can, without sacrificing the flowing, graceful lines which typify his style. Primarily a direct carver for the first 40 years of his career, in 2018 Binkley embraced new technology and is working in virtual space to create sculpture in other mediums besides stone. He has also returned to his roots and once again exploring drawing and painting. Binkley is excited to introduce a new project - his original figurative jewelry cast in brass, bronze and silver. He is a widely collected artist with a diverse and versatile talent. His work over the years has proved to have a universal appeal, and can be found in private, corporate and public collections on every continent. Binkley has worked internationally to create sculptures in the USA, Italy, Spain and China. Binkley is passionate about his work, and is interested in sharing it with patrons. He is very approachable with an inclusive demeanor, and welcomes your inquiries.