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A native of California, Mike has lived on the San Francisco Peninsula for more than thirty years.

His formal art education started in 1996 when he began to study figure drawing at the Palo Alto Cultural Center's open studio. Soon after, he took classes from Peninsula artist and teacher, Jim Smyth. Through Jim, Mike was introduced to the painting and workshops taught by colorist Ovanes Berberian. A student of the late Russian master Sergei Bongart, Berberian was able to provide a strong foundation in the fundamentals of painting. More recently, Mike has had the good fortune to continue his study with another Bongart student (and teaching assistant), Sunny Apinchapong-Yang.

From all of these lessons Mike has broadened his art experience and continues to study on his own. Painting directly from nature, whether still life, figure or landscape, he works to put feeling into his painting. Creating rich color harmonies with a vigorous approach is a hallmark of his work.

Showing since 1998, Mike's work has won awards and been collected widely. Currently he continues to paint and teach in Mountain View, California.