Although he has obsessively painted fish for more than 15 years, Mr. Crespo's exploration of the subject is far from superficial. He is continually examining the symbolism behind fish, as they have not only been a source of nourishment for mankind, but also a metaphor for greater, more significant ideas. One major influence on this body of work has been yoga. The darkness of the ground in the paintings, the void they express, and the "dense aura of meditation, the eternal night, the deep," are all derivative of Mr. Crespo's interest in this ancient practice. In addition to yoga, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese painting have also profoundly influenced his work, not only with their heavy chiaroscuro, but also with their still and tranquil nature.

Michael Crespo was born and lives in Louisiana. He is a Professor of Painting and Drawing at the Louisiana State University, and was named Distinguished Professor of Art in 1999. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Southern Arts Federation Grant in 1988, received the Louisiana Division of the Arts Artists Fellowship Award in 1987, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art. He has exhibited his work in a number of museums including the Montgomery Museum of Art, Montgomery, Alabama; the West Baton Rouge Museum in Baton Rouge, LA; and the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Crespo's work can be found in countless public and private collections across the United States. He also recently completed a large wall commission for the Claiborne Building in Baton Rouge, as a part of the Louisiana Percent for Art Program.