My name is Mike. I am new here and was poking around and found this forum and thought I would introduce myself...Well, I guess I should say a little about myself, huh?

I have just 'retired' from my 26 year career as a painter (all phases).  We have re-located to a small beautiful mid-west town in Wisconsin from Colorado, where we live with the wildlife as our neighbors and the peace and quiet of the country as our therapist. My studio consists of a 12'x24' loft above our garage that I have yet to complete construction on (I can REALLY feel my age lately!!!). I love it here! but, I have to tell you, I miss those mountains. I've just experienced fall here and the colors are spectacular!

I focus mainly on wildlife in my art, but also do portrait and lanndscape work...along with just about anything that strikes me! I started in oils and pencil, but just recently I found dry pastels and color pencils. What a joy for an impatient person like me to find a medium that allows me to work so quickly!!!! I still have tons to learn about them, but I LIKE 'em!

I've been an artist since I was about 10 years old. It's really hard for me to call myself an artist because as I look at all of the great work on the pages of this magazine, I question my work, my style and my lack of education in art. I have almost 40 years under my belt painting and drawing. I've sold work and have received commissions on a somewhat regular basis. I have an active website and support from many friends and family members. But, and I know that some of you will understand this, I still don't feel like an artist! I have never felt the jolt...excitement or 'pull into' feeling from any of my pieces as I do with some of the art gracing the pages of this magazine.I don't know, I guess it will come some day. For now I am happy to just do what I do...

Anyway, Hello...Hi and nice to meet you!

Mike

If you are at all interested, my website address is; www.portraitsoflifestudio.com

Nah, it's nnot ccccold uup upppp herrre Actually, I love winter, it's clean white blanket and the serenity of the falling snow. I've always wished that Colorado had a longer winter season. I used to do most of my artwork in winter because it afforded me the time, but now I will have all the time I need so the seasons are moot. I still love winter...

My opinion an artist is someone that can provoke a feeling. Bring back a memory, produce a mile, a tear...a thought. I just don't get that from my work. I like my work, but I think it's lacking the emotion that it needs. It seems somewhat sterile to me...

It's not really that I want others to like it, or for me to paint what they want (except for commission work of course), I just want to 'feel' my work. I'm hoping that someday will come that I do.

Thank you for your compliments and encouragement!!!!

Thank you!

I understand the safe thing...that's the way I feel about commission work. I know it will sell (not that that is the most important thing to me), because it basically already has and that it will more than likely mean something to someone. "Safe", that is a very good, descriptive word...

Well, I'm not quite full retired, but close! I don't make any money, but I still work my tail off around here...sometimes I think harder than I used to when I was working for money! It's a lot more enjoyable though!

We are in the North Eastern part of Wisconsin...just a walk away from Lake Poygan. Like I've said before, this is a beautiful state. Lots of color, stars at night, wildlife, open land and quiet....the quiet alone is well worth the move. The ONLY complaint I have is that; when I have to drive somewhere there isn't a straight road anywhere. I'm either driving around a lake, a farm or a cheese factory. It's great here.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

I enjoyed your website and your work.  Very "inviting" and easy to get around from images to information.  Good job!

Nice bike, paisan.

crew

Thanks, Crew!

I appreciate the compliments. The bike is long gone however, but thanks for the compliment...it was fun the short time that I had it. Maybe another one, another day.

Paisan? You must have read my bio...

Do you have work on here to look at, maybe a website? Judging from your avatar, I'm thinking your work would be interesting to see.

Hi Mike...this is 'River' again...don't feel like an artist???? OK here's my 5 cents worth of psychology. (Because I've seen your work now and you're an artist!) I wonder if like a lot of creative people you've given yourself permission to be an artist!  I have so many creative friends who are always up against an invisible wall of what they either know or what they at least imagine they know of other people in their lives (or hemispheres) views of 'art'. Is that clear (my head is turned like the RCA dog right now)? I mean, noone ever comes and puts a sign on your fuzzy sweater that says "artist!" (or poet or composer or whatever). You have to do it (with God). So, like the Wizzard of Oz someone could come and tell us we are artists...but really, I guess we have to tell ourselves.  We're in good company...everyone who ever designed a garden, wrote a poem or fashioned a silk slipper...was an artist. So we have to thank our mother in laws, 3rd grade teachers and neighbors for their opinion politely, tuck them away in a drawer we don't frequent much.......and paint...or what ever it is we do to express our shock at the sheer beauty of this world.

And I agree with someone else here...if you paint the things you love most...it will show. Again...I loooooooooooove the bunnies!

Keep me in your prayers everyone! I just need to get a little better health (which God has promised me)...to show you what I love...

Yeah...I guess we all do...about everything that we come to believe defines who we are...

Here's what I do...

...forgive everyone who thinks artists are dolts...everyone who thinks art is a political leaning (plaaaaeeese!)...(and everyone else including me for everything!!) and get on with life...

...and just...be.

God's the best artist anyway...

...and it's taken a long time I guess...but I finally don't care what anyone thinks of me (except to try not to hurt anyone)...

...my daughter and I love the Calvin and Hobbs cartoon that shows Calvin looking in the mirror with his skinny little boy body in a strong man pose saying something like..."yes-sir-ee, made in the image of God Amghty, that's me!"

...the best thing is to get to be...you...and I guess it get's easier when you believe in... a devine design...

..oh well...just wrote this thread in case it helps anyone else to see some of my process!

Blessings!

Thank you...

Mike