Michael A. Cooley is a national award winning medical illustrator, academic fine artist and educator. He began drawing at age 5. As a sophomore in high school, Cooley began accepting portrait commissions. He elected to enter vocational school his junior year and began studying drafting.
Cooley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Communication concentrating in Medical Illustration from the School of Allied Medical Professions through the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University in 1987. From 1988 to 2001 he worked professionally as a staff medical illustrator for the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the University of Texas Medical Branch, the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Joe W. King Orthopedic Institute.
In 2001 Cooley went into freelance full-time. In 2003, as a contractor, he partnered with Reconstructive Orthopedic Center of Houston and continues to actively freelance for them. Other clients Cooley has consulted with and illustrated for include The Ohio State University School of Dentistry, The Ohio State University School of Nursing, The University of Texas Medical Branch of Galveston Texas, The University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston, Joe W. King Orthopedic Institute of Houston, The Fondren Orthopedic Group of Houston, Bauer Publishing Inc. – Woman’s World Magazine, Blackwell Science Publisher, Churchill Livingstone, Cliggot Publishing, Dominus Publishing Company Inc., Elsevier Inc., Mosby’s Life-line, Inc., Mosby’s Year-book, Inc., Prometheus Books, Slack Inc., Springer-Verlag, WB Saunders Company, Williams and Wilkins, Air Cast Medical Products, American Orthopedics, & Ankle Society, Cincinnati Sports Medicine, Global Orthopedics, Various Hospitals, Various Medical Departments and Clinics, Private Physicians and Surgeons, Ad-Quity, Biographics, Huntington Clothier and Shirt Maker, and the General Public for Portraits and Caricatures.
2009, Cooley enrolled in graduate school. He entered the Low Residency MFA in Illustration program at Hartford Art School, University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. He received a merit scholarship and graduated in 2011 with a cumulative 3.94 gpa. Shortly after graduating, Cooley embarked on an independent study in classical fine art concentrating in drawing and painting. February 2012, He opened his fine art studio, Cooley Studios, located in Columbus, Ohio.
The Hartford Art School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the University of Hartford is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
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