Mike Kowalski

Mike Kowalski’s paintings draw inspiration from the natural surrounds of his home in Shoreham as well as the cityscapes of Melbourne, Australia. He paints from observation, sketching in charcoal, oil and watercolor to capture the moods and images of the natural and built world around him. Born and raised in California, Mike started entering art shows as a teen and eventually earned a BFA from Utah State University. He lived and worked as an illustrator in California and lived on Marrowstone Island, Washington for many years before moving to Australia in 2014. Mike still works as an illustrator specializing in architectural subjects. However, Mike spends most of his time painting internationally award-winning watercolors and oils, as well as teaching workshops worldwide. Mike has been invited to and won awards many of the major plein air events in the USA, including artists choice at Sonoma Plein Air and 1st place at the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Invitational. In 2015 Mike won the coveted Silver Medal of Honor at the 148th AWS International Exhibition in New York and most recently in October 2020, won awards at the 100th National Watercolor Society International Exhibition. His watercolors were on exhibit in Italy, Greece, Japan and Russia in 2019-2021. Mike has been a consecutive exhibitor in the prestigious Fabriano Biennial, Fabriano Italy. Mike’s work is influenced by John Singer Sargent, Emile Kosa Jr, Maynard Dixon, as well as Australian artist Harold Herbert. Memberships include: American Watercolor Society ( signature), National Watercolor Society (signature), and Artists Who Teach, Hawthorn Artists Society.