Michael Bergt was born in 1956, and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1997, He co-founded The Society of Tempera Painters and is currently their President. Michael always had an interest in traditional techniques and themes which lead him to investigate egg tempera. Finding the medium uniquely suited him, he has painted exclusively with tempera since 1980. From 1985-88 he lived in Spain and travelled throughout Europe furthering his studies of painting. He is a professional artist who has had several one-man shows in New York, San Francisco, and Santa Fe. In addition to painting, Michael also works in sculpture-carving wood and casting in bronze.