About the Artist

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.  Mike works in pastel, drawn to its intense pigments and spontaneity of application.  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 some of the top artists in his medium including Terri Ford, Albert Handell, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, and Richard McKinley.

Affiliations

Arts Obispo

Cambria Center for the Arts/Allied Arts Association

Morro Bay Art Association

Paso Robles Art Association

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art

California Central Coast Pastel Society

Contact Information

More of Mike’s work, as well as news and upcoming events.  Can be found at his website.

http://www.rmartstudios.com

Or, to Contact Mike, send an email to:

mike@rmartstudios.com