Michael Hampton Watercolors

You know I have a weakness for interior and architectural watercolors, so I'm excited to introduce you to someone who not only values these paintings as I do, but one who can actually paint them too!

Interior designer and watercolorist Michael Hampton is a design jack of all trades. After starting out studying fashion design, Michael realized that pattern making and sewing was not his cup of tea. But the subject that did inspire him was fashion illustration, something which he says brought out his inner draftsman. This discovery led to Michael taking an architectural history class and later obtaining his BA in interior design. (How nice to find someone who figures out what they want to do in life in their twenties!)

Michael has had quite an enviable career as an interior designer, working for ten years for San Francisco designer Steven Volpe and for the past four years with Thomas Pheasant. And while he is quite passionate about his chosen career, he is equally as enthusiastic about his other love- architectural watercolors.

Like many of us, Michael has been influenced by the work of the great Andrew Zega and Bernd Dams, but he also cites Jeremiah Goodman, James Steinmeyer, and Mark Hampton as role models. While much of Michael's work has focused on French architecture, he is currently exploring English Baroque architecture. What I like about Michael's work is the range. In addition to his architectural renderings, he also paints charming interiors.

If you'd like to see some of Michael's works in progress, you must visit his blog Michael Hampton Watercolors. For someone as artistically challenged as I, it's fascinating to see the whole artistic process.



Pavilion at Vaux le Vicomte


A very chic study


A pen and ink drawing of the 1998 San Francisco Decorators Showcase


Drawing Room of Evangeline Bruce


Blue John Vase


Albert Hadley's Apartment