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Mike Wise, 1973 | Plein Air painter


Mike Wise is an Impressionist oil painter best known for his landscapes. His approach to representational art is based in abstract design with loose brushwork and sculptural smears of the palette knife bringing movement and energy to a piece. The intended result is a painting rich in color and texture with a distinct three-dimensional feel that draws the viewer deep into the painted image.


Mike works in what was once an old barn that he converted to a modern art studio. The natural beauty that surrounds him at home on Whidbey Island, as well as having his family around and a lot of good music in the studio while he paints, influences his creative process. 

Wise is a member of Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the American Impressionist Society (AIS).








Exhibitions:

  • 2016 Landscape ~ Abend Gallery, Denver Colorado;
  • 2016 Impressionist Landscapes: Solo Show Featuring Mike Wise, Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA;
  • 2016 Spokane Valley Arts Council Annual Benefit Show, Spokane, Washington;
  • 2015 Winter Group Show, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico;
  • 2015 25th Anniversary Holiday Miniatures Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado;
  • 2015 Howard/Mandville Gallery Invitational Small Works Show, Kirkland, Washington;
  • 2015 Coeur d'Alene Art Galleries Miniatures by the Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho;
  • 2015 Virtuosos of the OPA, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY;
  • 2015 Double Feature: Mike Wise and Giuseppe Palumbo, Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA;
  • 2015 OPA National Exhibition of Traditional Oils, St. Augustine, Florida;
  • 2015 Yellowstone Art Museum 47th Annual Art Auction, Billings, Montana;
  • 2015 Cole Gallery Anniversary Show, Edmonds, Washington;
  • 2015 Old Traditions / New Frontiers Art Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado ;
  • 2014 'Introducing Mike Wise ~ Northwest Impressionism', Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA;
  • 2014 Contemporary Masters Show, Fredericksburg Art Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas;
  • 2014 American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Denver, Colorado;
  • 2014 OPA National Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Bennington, Vermont;
  • 2014 Taos Art Museum at Fechin House Benefit Auction, Taos, New Mexico;
  • 2014 OPA Western Regional Exhibition, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California;
  • 2014 Couer d'Alene Art Galleries Miniatures by the Lake, Couer d'Alene, Idaho;
  • 2014 Howard/Mandville Gallery Invitational Small Works Show, Kirkland, Washington;
  • 2014 Museum of Northwest Arts and Culture Annual Benefit Show, Spokane, WA;
  • 2014 Spokane Valley Arts Council Annual Benefit Show, Spokane, Washington;
  • 2014 Hockaday Museum Benefit Auction of Miniatures, Kallispell, Montana;
  • 2014 Paint the Peninsula Juried Plein Air event, Port Angeles, Washington;
  • 2014 Arts at the Port Annual Juried Exhibition, Anacortes, Washington;
  • 2014 Whidbey Expressions Benefit Art Show, Coupeville, Washington;
  • 2014 Art of the West Art Exhibit, High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon;
  • 2013 OPA National Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Fredericksburg, Texas;
  • 2013 OPA Juried Salon Show in Petoskey, Michigan;
  • 2013 Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington;
  • 2012 OPA National Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Evergreen, Colorado;
  • 2012 OPA Western Regional Exhibition in Denver, Colorado;
  • 2012 CM Russell Museum / Masters Art Show and Auction in Great Falls, Montana;
  • 2012 Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington;
  • 2008 Clymer Museum Two Man Show, Ellensburg, Washington;
  • 2007 National Museum of Wildlife Out of the Box Auction, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Awards Include:

  • 2015 Bronze Medal Award, OPA National Exhibition, St. Augustine, Florida;
  • 2015 Finalist, Bold Brush Painting Competition, October;
  • 2014 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational Sponsors Award, Port Angeles, WA;
  • 2014 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational Honorable Mention Award, Port Angeles, WA;
  • 2012 Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Best of Show Spokane, Washington;
  • 2008 Best of Show Whidbey Island Plein Air Painters Open;
  • 2007 - 2008 Best of Show Ellensburg National Western Art Show;
  • 2006 Juror’s Choice Award Whidbey Island Plein Air Painters Open.
National Publication Features:
  • Western Art Collector Magazine, “Winter Snapshots”, December, 2015;
  • Southwest Art Magazine, "Portfolio: The Beauty of Nature" July 2015;
  • American Art Collector Magazine, "Anniversary Showcase” February 2015;
  • Southwest Art Magazine, "Artists to Watch" January 2015.