“Art is not a thing, it’s a way.”

Whether he’s backpacking through a jungle, diving a coral reef, camping in the snow at 14,000 feet, engineering a treehouse in Belize, drafting a new furniture design or creating a work of art, Mike lives what he does passionately. He loves what he does and does what he loves, though it wasn’t always this way. When he tells you he’s been through a lot, just like you, you can trust him.

He’s been rightly accused of being “SO serious,” maybe to a fault. But this free spirit relishes a good laugh and treasures the simple, precious things: the ever-changing sky, a newborn infant, a loving touch, acts of kindness and thoughtfulness.

A worldly adventurer and traveler, Mike has also been an accomplished craftsman, musician, writer, engineer, designer, inventor, builder, business owner and father. Every one of those roles left something in his hands. The engineer’s precision, the craftsman’s patience and the father’s tenderness all live in his portraits.

Why graphite

Graphite is the most honest and unforgiving medium there is. There’s no color to hide behind, only light, shadow and the truth of a face. Mike spends 8 to 14 hours on each portrait, drawn entirely by hand with absolutely no AI. He works from your photographs, even old, faded or blurry ones, and captures not just a likeness, but a soul. He is detail-minded to the last strand of hair.

The gift, in his words

Many have called him “gifted,” “talented,” a few even “savant.” He accepts the words humbly, and only to a point:

“The only true claim to receiving and possessing any real gift is that of having a PASSION to create, to advance and to better myself and my work in any chosen endeavor. Without passion, the evolution never happens.”

“Perhaps what we call perfection in art is no more than the passion, or finding in a human work that certainty of execution, that inner necessity, that indissoluble, reciprocal union between design and matter, which I find in practice, perseverance and dedication.”

A man of faith

Mike is a spiritual man and doesn’t separate his faith from his art. He believes something greater moves through his hands in every portrait, and his clients often feel it. As one collector put it:

“His work is Spiritual, touching all aspects of divine interpretation.”

What you can count on

Mike is one who values clear, concise, honest dialogue. He is professional, respectful, trustworthy, considerate and thoughtful, broad-minded enough to listen to exactly what you want, and persevering enough to deliver it. He is plain-spoken and grateful for every client who trusts him with someone they love.

He hopes you’ll commission him to create a portrait of your someone special, or that ART you’ve always seen in your mind and just needed someone to bring to life.

“Thank you very much for viewing my work. I hope you’ll find what I have to offer worthy of display in your home or office. Remember, I’m honest and dedicated to having my customers SATISFIED with how they spent their hard-earned dollars!”

Commission Your Portrait