Buffalo is the Queen City, and she wears her crown proudly.
If I could fully express what this experience means to me, I would probably have to create new words. I imagine what I would say to my younger self, young Mikey would never believe it. I can picture him now: sitting in his room, sorting through his Buffalo Bills trading cards, with Ninja Turtles, Transformers, football, and hockey drawings taped to the walls around him. He was simply just a kid who loved drawing and loved Buffalo, then grew up with those same dreams becoming a reality.
I had the incredible honor of being selected for the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at Highmark Stadium, an opportunity that represents a true culmination of everything I have learned, experienced, and created throughout my life as an artist.
My passion for art, and love for Buffalo all came together with the culture in one painting.
ARTerpretation
Philosophy
Visual storytelling requires a deeper understanding of nearly everything we encounter in everyday life. Whether through logos, advertising, architecture, or creative expression, imagery allows us to communicate ideas and emotions beyond what words alone can describe. We experience images on many different levels through design, composition, symbolism, color, and subject matter.
For me, the creative process is built on making thousands of decisions. Every instinctive, calculated, or even accidental choice becomes another mark on the canvas, paper, or wall. Those decisions can create emotion, establish balance, serve a functional purpose, or bring harmony to an environment.
Freehand Drawing on Canvas
That philosophy is at the heart of The Face of Buffalo. A piece of my soul is embedded in this artwork. I worked on it every day, from morning until night. I love creating, but even more, I love creating with a purpose. When I am completely immersed in the work, time seems to disappear. Hours become memories rather than numbers on a clock. The outside world fades away for the moment. That level of dedication has become a normal part of my creative process.
The purpose of my artwork is to inspire others in the same way art continues to inspire me. I want my work to have a comforting and relatable presence—something that encourages people to connect with it and, hopefully, share their own stories. We live on through the memories of others. Our stories are passed from one generation to the next, creating a narrative that becomes part of who we are. The longevity of those memories becomes an important part of our legacy. Long after we retire, move on, or step away from our work, what remains is what we created and what we contributed to others. I believe it is important to recognize the value people bring into our lives and to give something meaningful back through our own gifts, creativity, and expression.
I prefer to have a strong personal connection to the subject matter behind my artwork, and this project embraces that idea completely. Football is much more than a sport in Buffalo. It is a lifestyle, a tradition, a shared identity, and a connection between generations. Over time, the fanbase has become something much larger than a group of people who enjoy football. It has become a family built on loyalty, pride, tradition, and community. That feeling was something I wanted to capture. We all come together to form one.
The Process
Building the Canvas
Everything in this artwork was completely handmade. In a world increasingly surrounded by digital imagery and emerging AI technology, I have always maintained a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. I enjoy working with my hands, building something from nothing, and knowing that every physical component of a finished piece passed through my own hands. The custom canvas was cut, trimmed, sanded, glued, nailed, stretched, primed and painted entirely by hand.
Measuring the Canvas
Building the canvas required precision and careful measurement. I needed the structure to be strong while remaining light enough for installation. I ultimately decided to build plywood behind the stretched canvas to provide additional protection and stability. Rather than leaving the canvas open between the stretcher bars, the plywood backing would prevent the surface from flexing if pressure were ever applied to the front. Even though the finished artwork would eventually be framed, I wanted to build it with the strength to withstand any potential accidents.
Front & Back of Canvas
Once the structure was complete, the canvas was stretched over it and primed, creating the foundation for the painting.
Concept & Production
Buffalo is shaped by so many defining qualities, and this concept was created to celebrate them. One of those qualities is the city's hardworking, blue-collar spirit—the determination of people who work for what they have, build their own success, and then use that success to help others. It would have been impossible for me to create this piece any other way than through hard work and hands-on craftsmanship. Those are standards I have carried with me throughout my career.
Freehand Drawing the Concept on Canvas.
I began by transferring measurements from my master sketch and then freehand drawing the design in pencil before beginning the painting process. Since this was an enormous moment for me as a Buffalo Bills fan. I wanted to give everything I had to the project—to demonstrate my dedication to the craft, my passion for Buffalo, and my love of creating. The central idea was to use some of Buffalo's most recognizable landmarks and cultural icons to literally form the face of Buffalo. And because Buffalo is known as the Queen City, I wanted the city's architecture to become a crown. The skyline rises above the buffalo's head, creating the impression that the buffalo is wearing the city itself as a crown.
Starting the First Brushstrokes
From Illustration to Realism
The first conceptual design was developed in an illustrative style, and much of the painting initially followed that approach. The skyline crowns the buffalo, representing Buffalo's architecture and identity. Throughout the composition, landmarks, traditions, cultural references, and hidden details invite viewers to look closer and discover something new. The left ear features the standing Buffalo Bills logo layered with Buffalo Central Terminal, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and the iconic Shea's Theatre sign. Then something unexpected happened. I realized I wanted to paint the piece realistically.
Painting with Blue
After completing much of the composition in solid color, I decided to begin with the portrait of “Buffalo Bill” and see whether I could successfully translate that small section into a realistic style while maintaining the overall color palette.
When I finished it, I loved the result.
William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and the Central Terminal Station
That single decision changed the direction of the entire painting. I knew exactly what I was up against. I knew how much time and dedication it would require, but I decided to commit fully. The entire piece would become realistic.
The People Who Make Buffalo
Of course, Buffalo is not just its buildings, landmarks, food, or sports teams. Buffalo is its people. The people of Buffalo shape the city into a place where others feel welcomed, connected, and at home. So many of our memories are tied to Buffalo Bills experiences—traveling to games, gathering with friends and family, tailgating, celebrating, and sharing stories with complete strangers who somehow feel like lifelong friends.
Pancho Billa & Bills Mafia Fandom
Pancho Billa represents that spirit in a powerful way. His impact on Bills culture extends far beyond Buffalo's borders. His story and presence represent many of the qualities I associate with the foundation of Bills Mafia: passion, loyalty, community, honor, and respect. Including that spirit in this artwork was incredibly important to me.
The Details
Every section of the painting was designed to tell part of Buffalo's story. At the crown of the buffalo sits the Buffalo skyline alongside the new Highmark Stadium. Chicken wings, celery, and blue cheese appear above the left eye, while a Buffalo Bills player occupies the right side of the forehead.
The Nose as The Buffalo Flag with the USA Flag.
The nose incorporates the Buffalo city flag, complete with its lighthouse and waterfront imagery. Lightning bolts and stars transition into a flowing American flag, while the bridge of the nose incorporates a background pattern inspired by classic Zubaz. On the right side, the sleeping lion statue outside Buffalo City Hall rises above Niagara Falls, while Bills Mafia supporters become part of the face itself. The result is a collection of individual stories coming together to create one larger portrait.
Precision, Architecture & Experience
Another important part of this project came from my background and education. I have always been interested in architecture, and while attending SUNY Buffalo, I spent a year taking classes that strengthened my understanding of precision, structure, and measurement.
Painting the City Crown
Those experiences helped develop the patience and determination required to see a complex project through to completion. That knowledge became especially valuable during this painting. Some of the architectural details required an incredible amount of precision, including painting the exact number of windows and reproducing the intricate architectural elements of Buffalo City Hall. At times, the painting felt almost like architectural drafting with a paintbrush.
Painting City Hall
Building the Frame
As the painting approached completion, my attention turned to another important challenge: the frame. There were several possible approaches for achieving the finished appearance I envisioned. I ultimately decided to use clear acrylic set into routed wood.
Routing and Cutting Wood for the Frame
Each section of the wood frame was cut to a precise 45-degree angle so the pieces could meet cleanly at the corners and surround the acrylic. Once the frame was constructed, I needed to address both its appearance and its weight.
Painting the Frame
I knew immediately that I wanted it to be black, so I painted the entire framework in a matte black finish, allowing the paint to soak into the wood before applying additional coats. The bigger challenge was figuring out how to attach the frame to the artwork while keeping the entire structure light enough for installation. After considering several options, I decided to cut a thin piece of plywood to the exact dimensions needed to support the artwork while leaving enough room around the painting for the frame.
Assembling the Frame to the Painting
The back and exposed edges were painted black so that, once assembled, the entire piece would read as one cohesive framed artwork.
The Face of Buffalo Framed
Traveling Across the Country
Soon after completing the frame, it was time to prepare the artwork for its journey. With a tight timeline, I didn't have enough time to build a traditional shipping crate. Instead, I carefully wrapped the artwork in protective plastic and secured it so that the surface would remain completely protected throughout the drive. There was something almost surreal about that moment. For months, I had been in the studio every day, working on this painting in one place. Then, almost immediately after completing it, I was driving north across the country—from Florida to New York—with the finished artwork beside me. After spending so much time looking at the painting in the studio, suddenly seeing it travel through the landscape of our country was an experience in itself. And what a beautiful country it is.
Driving to Deliver the Painting Across Country
If you ever have the opportunity to take a road trip across the country, take it. Be safe, enjoy the journey, and take the time to appreciate what is around you.
Thank You, Buffalo
Every year, I return to Buffalo, sometimes for the Bills' home opener. The tailgate experience is on another level. Watching the sunrise. Grilling food all morning. Meeting new people. Exchanging stories. Feeling the energy build throughout the day. And then hearing the eruption of roughly 70,000 people making noise together as one. Those are core memories for me. They are experiences I wish more people could feel, and creating artwork connected to that culture gives me another way to share a small part of it. I can't wait to experience a Bills game in the new Highmark Stadium
Although I now live in Sarasota, Florida, I continue to surround myself with the love of my family and friends from home. I am incredibly proud to be from Buffalo, New York, which will always be home. And being able to create something that is forever part of the new Highmark Stadium—something that future generations of fans could see when they walk through the building—is beyond anything I could have imagined. A dream come full circle.
Thank you so very much for this incredible opportunity. It is a sincere honor to be among so many talented artists and to have the opportunity to contribute to the permanent art collection of the new Highmark Stadium. Creating artwork for the Buffalo Bills has been a personal goal of mine for as long as I can remember. The possibility of seeing my work become a permanent part of the stadium is truly beyond my wildest dreams.
I hope The Face of Buffalo captures even a small piece of what makes this city so special—the architecture, the history, the traditions, the food, the fans, the community, and most importantly, the people. Every detail was created with intention, passion, and an enormous amount of love for Buffalo. Highmark Stadium is going to be an incredible place, and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to be a small part of its story.
My greatest hope is that when someone sees this artwork, they don't simply see a buffalo. I hope they see Buffalo, NY, I hope they recognize something familiar, I hope they discover a detail that brings back a memory, and most of all, I hope they feel, even for a moment, the same sense of pride and belonging that I feel every time I think about home.
Keep building on your dreams, so they stay alive. Every step today is a stone used to build a mountain tomorrow. Stay motivated. Go Beyond. Do Art.
You can read more about it here on the Buffalo Bills website: https://www.buffalobills.com/stadium/art-collection/artist-bios/michael-biondo
Always love! Go Bills!