The Factory Man

My friend Michael Netter, is a successful management consultant.  He has been advising major corporations in the US on marketing strategy.  But first and foremost, he is a terrific artist, who has been painting for four decades; and all of his paintings gathered dust (and spiders) in his barn in New York State.

Michael is the son of Douglas Netter, who is a well known producer in Hollywood, who amongst many genres, specialized in westerns in the 1970s - The Sacketts with Tom Selleck being a prominent example.

Michael and Warhol at The Factory

Michael, worked with Andy Warhol in the 1970s at the latter's studio which was called The Factory.  How the association came about is an interesting story.  In the early 70s, Michael had secured a portable movie camera, one of the first of its kind.  He was wandering about the streets of Manhattan filming various aspects of the city, and happened to run into Andy Warhol.  Warhol was fascinated by the device and asked Michael to come and work for him and film his work at his studio.  Thus began his association.

Our mutual friend, who probably has the only painting by Michael on display in his office (which I have seen), persuaded him gently and persistently to exhibit his works.

The time finally came in 2016, and Michael has his first showing at the ACA gallery in Chelsea, NYC titled Cryptographics.  I enjoyed a private tour provided by the owner of the gallery, Casey, and really got to appreciate Michael's talent, more than I would have with a superficial glance.

Hope you enjoy these paintings as well, most of which are from the 1990s.  Casey, the gallery owner said to me that they are 20 years ahead of its time, given the work artists are producing today.

Bart Simpson and George Washington

Michael and Casey