CHAOS, CALM, CHARCOAL: MICHAEL RAGONESE
“Purging the Storm”
In a city that never slows down, Michael Ragonese found a way to pause. Based in New York City, Michael had taken a few art classes growing up, but it wasn’t until last year that he found what he’d been missing.
“If I'm being honest, Josh was the reason for returning to drawing, and this time picking up a piece of charcoal. It was the speed and efficiency that something so unique, chaotic, and beautiful could emerge. I had to try it.”
Since then, it’s been nothing but charcoal under the fingernails and growth in the grind. Using Josh’s courses, YouTube lessons, and the work of other artists, Michael built a rhythm, trial, error, disappointment, success, and the one thing that always brought him back: peace.
“After all of it, I keep coming back week after week for the peace I find when creating.”
“Eclosion” |
“Senshi” |
 |
“Ash Elegy” |
Artist Bio:
Michael Ragonese is an artist based in NYC. He took a handful of art classes growing up and one in college but started diving into charcoal in 2024 and hasn't stopped since. Michael attributes Mad Charcoal (Josh Hernandez) to the reason he returned to drawing, and this time picking up a piece of charcoal. It was the speed and efficiency that something so unique, chaotic, and beautiful could emerge. He had to try it. Since then, Michael has used Josh's courses and Youtube to create. There has been trial and error, some disappointments and success. After all of it, he keeps coming back for the peace he finds when creating. @charred.visions