The curriculum and teaching techniques used at the Angel Academy of Art are the result of over 45 years of research and experimentation by its founder, the foremost figurative painter: Michael John Angel.
The Maestro
Michael John Angel
Born in England in 1946, Michael John Angel emigrated to Canada in 1961 and moved to Italy permanently at the beginning of 1989. In the late 1960’s, he studied in Florence with the renowned Pietro Annigoni who introduced him to the techniques of the Old Masters. Mr Angel is now regarded as one of the foremost figurative painters, and his paintings and portraits hang in both public and private collections on both sides of the Atlantic. While he has few peers in portrait painting – his commissions read like a Who’s Who of corporate North America – Mr Angel’s real passion is painting myths and allegories. Since the 1980’s, he has been concentrating on these, designing and painting murals and altarpieces for a number of churches and villas in Italy, and for private collections in the USA.
Mr Angel has taught workshops at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, in addition to lecturing at the Florentine campuses of several American universities and various private schools. From 1982 to 1996 he was the Director of Michael John Angel Studios in Toronto, Canada, and from 1992 to 1995 he was the Assistant Director of the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. 1997 saw the establishment of his first school in Florence – the Angel Academy of Art – dedicated not only to passing on his love for classic and traditional art, but also to teaching the disciplines that lead to successful mastery of the techniques needed for representational painting. Mr Angel has been interviewed on television and radio many times. He plays a prominent role in a 90-minute documentary by Artatak Films of Toronto and Rainbow Films of Florence entitled Annigoni: Portrait of an Artist.
Another documentary, The Road to Castagno, profiles the work of Mr Angel. It has been shown on Canadian national television many times and has also been viewed at several film festivals, including the Cannes Documentary Festival and Montreal’s 12th Festival International du Film sur l’Art. Known to his students as maestro, Mr Angel is considered one of the most inspiring and successful teachers in classical and traditional art today.
As well as teaching at the Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Michael John Angel gives regular in- house lectures during term times and, in the summer months, conducts specialised summer workshops.
Learn about the Academy’s unique course offerings
Instructors
JERED WOZNICKI, HEAD OF A YOUNG WOMAN (AFTER DEGAS), OIL ON PANEL, 22.5X18.5 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STANDING FEMALE NUDE FROM THE BACK, OIL ON CANVAS, 90 X 50 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STANDING MALE NUDE FROM THE BACK (AFTER VILIGIARDI), CARBON PENCIL ON TONED PAPER, 44X25 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STUDY OF PANOS, CARBON PENCIL ON TONED PAPER, 36X25 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STANDING FEMALE NUDE WITH RAISED ARM, OIL ON CANVAS 
PHOTO OF JERED WOZNICKI PAINTING FROM THE MODEL 
JERED WOZNICKI, STILL LIFE WITH SPANISH BASKET, OIL ON PANEL, 52X37 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STILL LIFE WITH ORANGES, OIL ON CANVAS 
JERED WOZNICKI, LA BELL’ ITALIANA, OIL ON PANEL, 70X50 CM 
JERED WOZNICKI, STILL LIFE WITH CHERRIES, OIL ON PANEL, 35X25 CM
Jered Woznicki
Instructor
Jered Woznicki is a renowned and award-winning artist. His works can be found in both public and private collections across Europe, North America, and China. For example, one of his paintings remains in the permanent collection of the American Academy of Art alongside those of other notable graduates, such as, Scott Burdick and Richard Schmid. In fact, it was at the American Academy of Art that Jered Woznicki met Michael John Angel in 1990. Since then, Jered has been the recipient of many awards, including a medal at the prestigious 1999 Florence Biennale – an international assembly of over 500 acclaimed artists.
Martinho Isidro Correia
Instructor
Martinho Isidro Correia is a fine artist and educator and a graduate of several art programs including: a BFA in Painting from the University of Calgary; a BEd in Art Education from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver; a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from the Angel Academy of Art, Florence and a Masters in Architecture, Sacred Art, and Liturgy from the European University Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. Martinho has also studied with Richard Serrin, Glenn Vilppu and Odd Nerdrum.
An experienced educator, in addition to teaching at the Angel Academy, Martinho regularly conducts workshops in Canada, Portugal and Australia. From 2012 to 2015 he was a visiting instructor at St. Mary’s University College in Calgary.
Martinho has easel paintings in collections in Italy, England, Colombia, Australia, USA and Canada as well as three large public murals completed for the city of Calgary. His painting of the Resurrection entitled “Anastasis” was accepted into the Vatican collection in 2010 on behalf of His Eminence Mauro Cardinal Piacenza in Vatican City.
Krasimir Marinov
Instructor
Classical artist, lover of the arts, admirer of the past; that is how one can describe Krasimir Marinov, Bulgarian-born Angel Academy of Art graduate. Prior to the Academy he studied at the New Bulgarian University where in art history classes he learned of the Old Masters and captivated by them, quickly found his way to Florence. He finds inspiration in the classicists such as Cabanel, Bouguereau & Lord Leighton. Krasimir currently splits his time between teaching at the Academy and working on his own projects..
Valerio Testa
Instructor
Previously a designer in Austria, Valerio Testa’s search for a way to fully express his creative energies and passion for the arts brought him to the Angel Academy of Art, Florence. After graduating Valerio is now able to explore his artistic vision in a professional manner. Valerio is currently based in Florence and when not teaching is working on his own projects and furthering his artistic capabilities.
