Artist’s Biography

An Updated Biography and Exhibit History is Coming Soon…

In the meantime this will have to do….

Michael’s “Ghosts of the Warsaw Ghetto IIl” painting was included in this just published book by art historian and holocaust researcher Dr. Batya Brutin. To quote the overview “Many artists adopted them as a source of inspiration to express their feelings and ideas about Holocaust events in general and to deal with the fate of these two victims in particular. Moreover, the artists emphasized the uniqueness of both children, but at the same time used their image to convey social and political messages. By using images of these children, the artists both evoke our attention, sympathy and our anger against the Nazis’ crime of killing one and a half million Jewish children in the Holocaust.”

Ghosts of the Warsaw Ghetto III

Pop Artist Michael James Toomy paintings possess a humanity and sensitivity rarely seen in contemporary art. Giving a serious thought-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 songwriters to pen lyrics that listeners can identify with their own experiences, their past or dreams.

Michael has donated work for many charities and organizations including Live Nations 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 created a painting entitled “Throwaway” for Amnesty International Chapter, The Boston Firefly Project, as well as in 2011 creating a painting entitled “Sons of the Republic” as a touring fundraising item for Moore*Mart. (An organization that raised money to buy troops serving in Afghanistan basic everyday items.) Michael’s work has been featured in numerous group & solo shows. The artist currently works out of his studio, Londonderry Fine Art in New Hampshire with his 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 giving the subject a dream-like quality. In my work I try to tell a story, leaving it up the viewer to interpret 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.

Exhibitions & Awards
  • 2018 Oct. thru June 2019. Exhibition. Unique Designs, Burlington Mall, Burlington Ma.
  • 2018 Positive Street Art Show. Nashua NH.
  • 2018 Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua NH. Featured Exhibitor.
  • 2018 Guest Artist.  Lord and Taylor department store, Rockingham Mall, Salem NH.
  • 2017 Sept. thru Jan 2018. Exhibition. Unique Designs, Rockingham Mall, Salem NH.
  • 2017 Featured Artist. August 2017 – January 2018. Unique Designs, Rockingham Mall, Salem NH.
  • 2016 Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua NH. Featured Exhibitor.
  • 2015 “Ghosts of the Warsaw Ghetto III” chosen to be included in an upcoming book by Art Historian and Holocaust Researcher Dr. Batya Brutin.
  • 2014 Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua NH. First Place Award for Acrylics.
  • 2013 “Imagine” An Art Opening & Reception. The works of Elaine Farmer & Michael James Toomy. Coffeeberries, Londonderry, NH. 03053.
  • 2012 Londonderry’s Art on the Common.  Juried exhibit.  Third place award in acrylics for painting entitled “Children of the Chosen: Ignorance, Need & Pain. Londonderry NH.USA
  • 2012 Raven’s Sorrow Exhibit:  House of Blues. Group exhibit. Boston, MA. USA
  • 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.