Michael H. Cranford was born in Southern California in 1964. His interest in being an artist became apparent at the age 4, as he defaced bibles by drawing race cars in them during church. Changing to more practical mediums, he continued through most of his childhood working with pencil, pen & ink.

His interest in photography led him to several national magazine covers, ad campaigns, and commission work for modeling agencies. After visiting the Hawaiian Island at age 30, Michael became intrigued with the complexities of nature and how important each species relationship was somehow connected and dependant on the next, including our own! From that day forward, Michael knew his art, soul and spirit would soon land in the tropics.

Michael spent the next 5 years traveling to the Caribbean, Belize and Mexico, before finally deciding on the Osa Peninsula area in the southern part of Costa Rica. It is here where Sombrero de la Lapa was carved out from the rain forests.

Michael has the majority of his work displayed in 2 galleries in Costa Rica. Michael also performs a significant amount of commission work for local hotels and tourist destinations.

His artistic mentors are MC Escher, Dali, Thomas Moran and Chritian Reese Lassen. Michael also teaches the local Costa Rican children acrylic painting. Several of his students are selling their work nationally.

Other interests include 4 wheel driving, mtn. climbing and photography. Michael much prefers painting side by side with other painters vs. actually leading a class and teaching. However, Michael is available as an Instructor as well.