Click here for a Resume of Michael's Artistic Career

Michael started his artistic career as an oil painter more than twenty-five years ago. Through studies and self-mastery he has developed his own unique style with oil paints, applying them with brush and palate knife onto canvas, board, and burlap. His technique is impressionistic with a touch of realism bringing the imagination alive to reveal art at its best. His interests and versatility enable him to devote his talents to a wide variety of subjects’ -Portraiture, Marine, Landscape, Wildlife, Western, Lighthouses, Historical, Floral, Still Life. Much of his work tends to be entirely spontaneous, such as his ‘en plein air’ paintings. Whereas other paintings are created in his studio after much research and planning.

He believes in art with flair. His paintings excite the senses and reflect professionally applied composition, light, color, and action! People’s expressions are captured chatting over coffee or playing music. Boats in the water and on the beach come alive; ocean waves roar, reflections in the water shine, lighthouses beam down, historical brick buildings reveal their age. Wild and domestic animals jump out at the viewer. Barns of yesteryear struggle to stay alive.

He is also an avid outdoorsman and works for the County Parks Department. This allows him to closely observe and study nature; providing greatly to the subject matter of his work. During his travels throughout Alaska, Canada, Wyoming, Montana, France and Italy he sketches, paints, and takes photographs, while studying his various subjects. He uses these references to assist in determining the focal point, composition, color scheme, and feeling of his work.

His focus "Is to portray my emotions, feelings, expressions, and outlook on life through the application of paint into each work of art. My whole being goes into each painting and tells a story. When my paintings evoke special emotions and experiences in the viewer, I know that I have accomplished my goal." His ability to capture each scenes fleeting moment of life caught in time, while portraying vibrant colors mixed with light, strong emotions, and an atmosphere of mystery, is incredible. Upon viewing his work, individual emotions and imaginations are evoked, resulting in an unforgettable experience from each piece of his creation.

You can view Michael’s original oil paintings at his working Studio/Gallery by appointment or during the Annual Whatcom Artist Studio Tour the first two weekends in November. His artwork is also represented at the Artists’ Gallery of Seattle. Local Coffee Shops such as Tonys Coffee & Teas, Stuarts Coffee House, and the Colophon Café also show his work. Michael participates in many invitational and juried shows as well.

You might find him ‘plein air’ painting at coffee shops, harbors, beaches, a farmers market, across the street from a windmill, at the rodeo, in the mountains as high up as the mountain goats and wildflowers, or in a valley filled with ranches and horses…………..