Artist Spotlite, A special thanks to www.ArtsSpot.com,

A special Thanks to Graham over at

http://www.artsspot.com/

Hello Michael!I have great news for you!You have been selected for our first Artist Spotlite at ArtsSpot!I have enjoyed looking at your great artwork! Keep up the awesome art!My fiance has dyslexia also, so I can certainly relate. She is gifted also.The post is up blogroll.http://www.ArtsSpot.com

Thank-youGraham

This is our first Artist Spotlite. In this section, we will be showcasing different artists and let the artists speak for themselves about the artwork.

Please take the time to visit the artist’s website.

www.michaelorwick.com

If you want your own art featured here, check out our post on Artist Spotlites for details.
Our first featured artist: Michael Orwick

Sierra Trails

30x40"oil painting on cavas

by Michaelorwick

available at Dragonfire gallery

503 436 1533

My art hints at a story and then invites you to finish the narrative. My style has been called Inspired Expressionism, which combines impressionistic brush strokes and a touch of realism to create the atmosphere and lighting woven into my work.
The easiest way to see my work is at http://www.michaelorwick.com/ and from there a list of galleries showing my art is available.

MICHAEL ORWICK - ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
I was born in 1975 on a sunny day in Astoria Oregon. Despite my near death experience at birth, my Mom thought I was perfect. My Dad, a physician, knew better.
These assessments continue today.Within days of my recovery, my adventures began. Our small family moved to the Olympic Peninsula to live on the Quinault Indian Reservation as Dad served in the Indian Health Service. Most of my memories from those very early years involve an ancient Indian woman known as Gram Black, eating live clams on cold foggy beaches, and our performing circus poodle.
From two to four, our family moved to Boise. My parents got me a Golden Retriever who taught me the joy of peeing outside, and they adopted my Colombian sister who taught me patience and the importance of proper grooming.
At the age of four I became the seventh generation on my mother’s side to live in “the town that friendliness built,” Lebanon Oregon, home of the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. Over the years, my family created a sort of odd animal sanctuary and hobby farm with a revolving cast of colorful creatures to ride, observe and endlessly scoop up after. My bedroom was in the tack room, which I shared with my youngest sister’s goat. To this day, there is no love lost between me and the nasty rooster who cock-a-doodled any old time.
Very early it was discovered that I had dyslexia, and that I saw things differently from most. School was difficult, but in hindsight this was one of many blessing that have led and helped shape my artful existence. I was also lucky to grow up surrounded by beautiful creeks and evergreen wilderness, and within a family that loved to travel, encouraged curiosity and following one’s heart. And my heart has always told me to create.
I started college at the University of Oregon, and for reasons I cannot recollect, I majored in business. Two years in and losing motivation, I jumped at the chance to move to Australia for half a year where I filled up sketch pads with drawings and small paintings. The thought of returning to business classes never crossed my mind.
I spent the next year a transient, sleeping on friend’s couches and beanbags putting together a portfolio, and starting to date my future wife, a beautiful Bulgarian named Gabriela.
Gaby and I started our life together in Portland, Oregon where I majored in Illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art. I discovered that oil painting and the method of working from dark to light really worked with my “backwards brain.”
When I’m not illustrating books, I still find my whimsical images and my landscapes to be very illustrative. I love creating art that invites you on a journey, in which you’re invited to form a story and explore your world within.
Gaby’s and my daughter, a creative, inquisitive two year old, has kept me in touch with my perpetual child within. Throughout my life, I have been lucky to know beauty and comfort, laughter and joy. These are a few of the things I hope to impart through my brushes.
I look forward to continuing my adventures, inviting inspiration and beauty into my life, and sharing it with you through my paintings.
Sign up for his daily paintings, art related musings and tips and techniques.http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/