Collection: Michael F. Rumsby

Introduction

What makes Michael F Rumsby art so distinctive is a deeply personal truth: he never told a soul he was gay until the age of thirty-eight. For years, painting — and colour in particular — became his quiet language of joy and self-expression, a way to reveal the brightest side of himself without words. That emotional honesty still radiates from every Michael F Rumsby artwork today.

Michael F Rumsby is a contemporary British artist celebrated for his richly textured, expressive landscapes, sunlit interiors and vibrant still lifes. Working in mixed media, he builds luminous layers of acrylic, oil, pastel, charcoal and ink that border on the abstract while remaining rooted in the natural world. Collectors seek out Michael F Rumsby prints and originals for their uplifting energy, masterful use of light and the sense of memory and place they so powerfully convey.

Biography

Michael F Rumsby was born in 1968 and grew up on the Suffolk coast. His family eventually settled in Thorpeness, where his childhood bedroom looked directly onto the pebble beach and the ever-changing North Sea. Those wide skies, dramatic sunrises and the constant movement of light and water left a lasting impression and remain a foundational influence on his work.

He studied art and art history at the University of Lancaster, painting prolifically throughout his student years. After university he entered the corporate world of public relations and communications, rising to become Global Communication Director for the L’Oréal Group in Paris. The role involved extensive international travel and constant creative stimulation, yet painting remained a private passion pursued at weekends and during company exhibitions.

In his late thirties he came out, and by around 2010–2012 he made the decisive step of leaving corporate life to paint full-time. He settled in the village of Saussignac in south-west France, where he lives and works with his husband. From this base he continues to travel widely — to the Mediterranean coast, Italy, Dubai, the Algarve and beyond — gathering colours, light and memories that feed his studio practice. In 2014 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Achievements

• Full-Time Artistic Transition: After a successful international corporate career, Michael F Rumsby committed fully to painting around 2010–2012 and has never looked back.
• Royal Society of Arts: Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) in 2014 in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
• International Collections: Michael F Rumsby artwork is held in private collections across Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Australia.
• Prestigious Commissions: Notable commissions include a painting for the boardroom of Risk Capital Partners in Mayfair, London.
• Signature Collections: Acclaimed series such as Riviera, Respair, Shakkei, Summer Breeze and Fernweh explore memory, place and the joy of colour.
• Published Work: His life and practice are celebrated in the lavishly illustrated book *A Life in Colour*, offering collectors a deeper insight into his creative journey.

Michael F Rumsby Artwork & Prints

Michael F Rumsby artwork is characterised by its bold colour, layered texture and expressive energy. Landscapes, coastal views, sun-drenched interiors and floral still lifes are rendered with a freedom that often edges towards abstraction, yet the sense of place remains strong. Whether capturing the light of the French Riviera, the meadows around his home in Saussignac or intimate domestic scenes, each piece feels both immediate and steeped in memory.

Limited edition Michael F Rumsby prints translate the vitality of his original paintings into accessible, high-quality works. Many are embellished, preserving the sense of depth and surface texture that collectors love. From large-scale canvases to more intimate editions, Michael F Rumsby prints and originals bring light, colour and a quiet sense of joy into any space.

Artistic Style & Inspiration

Michael F Rumsby’s style is expressive and richly layered, often bordering on the abstract while keeping the landscape or still life firmly present. He works in a vibrant mixed-media approach that combines acrylic, oil, pencil, charcoal, pastels and ink. Multiple layers of paint and mark-making create texture, depth and a luminous quality of light that is central to his practice. He regularly paints on location, absorbing the immediate intensity of outdoor colour, then returns to the studio where memory, photographs and sketches are combined into what he describes as a collage of different elements.

The ever-changing light and skies of the Suffolk coast formed his earliest visual education. Today the landscapes and gardens around his home in south-west France, the extraordinary light of the Mediterranean, and travels further afield continue to feed his work. Themes of joy, respite, longing and the restorative power of nature run through his collections. The result is Michael F Rumsby artwork that feels both spontaneous and carefully constructed — a celebration of colour, atmosphere and the emotional resonance of place.