Michael Marisi Laurens works across an unusually wide material range: raw pigments from Kremer Pigments NYC, oil crayons, ink, aerosol, dyes, gesso, latex paint, applied to canvas, linen, plexiglass, wood, dacron, metal, whatever the piece in front of him actually calls for.
Language runs through the work as much as pigment does. Some paintings fold in entire plays alongside expressive portraiture, as in his series Jail House Ballads. He leaves pieces intentionally unfinished, in flux, so the viewer becomes part of completing them, and many are transparent by design, shifting with the light to reveal colors and textures that weren't visible a moment before.
Michael (as Ornstein) is also known for his work on screen, including roles on Sons of Anarchy, Mayans MC, and The Abandons. A veteran of stage and screen, he originated the role of Louis in the world premiere of Angels in America and has appeared in numerous acclaimed films, series, and independent projects.
