Statement:
Utilization of color as a non-verbal communication vehicle is critical to my interest in getting the viewer involved with my work. Through color the viewer can be drawn into a piece, experience various emotions and walk away with meanings special to them as an individual. My vision and goal is to alter the perception of the viewer so they can see the world in a different way and grow from the experience. I view my art as a mirror to the world reflecting back mixed images of my own experiences and emotions. I work primarily in acrylic, but will infuse ink, charcoal, and paper into the canvas so as to create subtle changes in texture, value and color. These subtle changes are influenced by my constant observation and exploration of form, line and color in both nature and man-made objects.

Biography:
Mike was borne in Guam, an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the youngest of three children, at age 7 the family moved to Madrid Spain where he was influenced by the works of Goya and Picasso. Later, while living in Omaha, Nebraska his influences included the printmaking of Pearlman and Chuck Close and the oil of Jim Dine. Mike graduated from the University of Nebraska, with a BS in Fashion/Textile Design. He also studded under fiber artist Dr. Robert Hillestad, a Paris Design School graduated and voted as one of the top one 100 designers in the United States. Mike won a University design competition for his silk-screen work and was commissioned by two local hospitals and the University to design and create 4 large-scale works to be installed in their facilities.  His first job after graduation was Visual Merchandising Manager for Younkers Department stores where he won national awards for his designs. Always a designing, Mike also created and designed sets for theater groups and fashion shows.  Today Mike is living in Charlotte North Carolina with his wife and focuses on creating paintings and teaching at The Art Institute Charlotte. Private collectors own his work from coast to coast and internationally.