Bio
Maximilian O’Neil (b.2000 Baltimore, MD) is an oil painter living and working in the Baltimore-area. He was introduced to drawing at a young age by his grandfather, igniting a lifelong passion. He fell in love with painting during his freshman year at Towson University. After a year at Towson University, O’Neil transferred to Maryland Institute College of Art where he received his BFA in Painting in 2023. O’Neil creates intricately detailed realist oil paintings as a way to contend with the impact of Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (a degenerative eye disease) on his vision and mental health. From 2023 to mid 2024, the subject of O’Neil’s work focused on objects and areas in his home. After spending the latter half of 2024 experimenting with approaches and subjects, then taking some time away from painting for much of 2025, he has returned to his studio with a renewed passion and eagerness. His new work maintains the meticulous realism of his prior work but the scope of subject matter has broadened, leaving the home and expanding beyond to the places and things he sees in his day-to-day life that intrigue him.
CV
EDUCATION
Maryland Institute-College of Art
Baltimore, Maryland
Fall 2020 – Spring 2023
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Painting
Received in 2023
Awards and Honors:
- MICA Creative Achievement Award
- MICA Transfer Scholarship
Towson University
Towson, Maryland
Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Transferred to MICA following Spring 2020 semester
Awards and Honors:
- Towson University Dean’s List 2019
Exhibitions
Group:
2023:
- Artwalk 2023
- MICA Main Building
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Highlights of Thesis Defense Sp23
- Alvin and Louise Myerberg Gallery
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Flow
- France-Merrick Foundation Gallery
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Return
- France-Merrick Foundation Gallery
- Baltimore, Maryland
2022:
- Highlights of Thesis Defense Fa22
- Alvin and Louise Myerberg Gallery
- Baltimore, MD
- Arrival
- France-Merrick Foundation Gallery
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Preface
- France-Merrick Foundation Gallery
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Junior Independent Painting Showcase
- Fred Lazarus IV Center
- Baltimore, Maryland