Michael Stimola was born in New York City, lived in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters, and now lives year-round in West Tisbury, MA. He is largely self-taught and has been making photographs for nearly two decades. After studying at the International Center of Photography and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, he set out to define his photographic vision through experimentation and the close study of the work of other artists, especially Pictorialist photographers and Tonalist painters. He also finds inspiration in writers of every genre. His work explores the interplay of memories, associations and expectations in everyday visual perception.

Michael’s work for 2023 continues his exploration of Martha’s Vineyard. His pigment prints engage viewers in a dialog with the rich visual experiences that can be found on the island. This year, he’s added two prints on aluminum.

For 2023, Michael has made contact prints employing the 19th Century Cyanotype process.  They are made using digital negatives that are exposed and processed in his darkroom.

His photographs have been selected for exhibition in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Toronto, and Vermont. He is a winner of Color Magazine’s 2009 Portfolio Competition and is profiled in Issue # 8, Spring 2010. Additionally, he is a Black & White Magazine Excellence Award winner and is featured in Issue # 76, August 2010 Special Portfolio Contest Award Issue. He was the subject of an Artist Profile in the Summer 2012 issue of Vineyard Style Magazine.