About

Mike has a passion for the outdoors that spans his life. Born in Idaho and moving to California at an early age, he brought with him a love for nature. From being an avid backpacker and rock climber in his youth, to a lifelong pursuit of fly fishing, he has always found himself in the outdoors. It was only natural for him to bring this passion for the outdoors to his paintings, done in pastel. Taking his inspiration from both what he observes on location, and the work of the early California Impressionists, Mike captures the beauty and the light of the joys found in the California landscape. While Mike describes himself as largely self taught, he has studied with various noted artists including Iris Carignan, Judy Klement, Richard McKinley and Loraine Veeck.

Affiliations

Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore

Pastel Society of the Gold Coast

Westlake Village Art Guild

Recent Shows

2011 Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore – Will Rogers State Historic Park, in honor of Will’s birthday, November 5

2011 Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore – Malibu Nature Preserve 9th Annual Exhibit - October 23

2011 Passion for Pastels - July 2-30

2011 Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore - Mountain Restoration Trust

2011 Spring into Pastels – April 2 - May 11

2011 Westlake Village Art Guild Member's Show – January 6 - 29

2010 Ventura County Maritime Museum - July-August - Plein Air Exhibit