Michael Orwick majored in Illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon, where. he discovered that oil painting and the method of working from dark to light "worked with my backwards brain," referring to his childhood, when his parents "realized that I had dyslexia and that I saw things differently from most." Michael accepted an internship with Will Vinton Studios (now Laika Studio), but, true to the predictions of his professors, after a few years as an illustrator, his true passion as an oil painter prevailed. He began his career as a full-time oil painter fifteen years ago.
Michael was blessed with a nearly immediate collector base that found something in his work that resonated with them. When he was not illustrating books, he found that his whimsical images and landscapes could also be very illustrative. Michael says, "I love creating art that invites you on a journey to form a story and explore your world within."
Throughout his life, Michael feels fortunate in that he has been able to know beauty and comfort, laughter and joy. These are a few of the things he hopes to impart through his brushes: "As a painter, the effects of light and atmosphere are what I remember about a location and what inspires me most. Light transforms the ordinary or even beautiful into the exceptional. My quest is to capture these fleeting moments and help people see things again through new eyes."
Studio Everywhere: A few years ago my wife, our daughter and I took the year off from "real life" to travel the world. We visited twenty-one countries and painted with over 500 inspiring children from various orphanages and schools as part of our cause, which we called Studio Everywhere. This year it is my goal to reflect on that trip and create works of art that celebrate that special chapter in our lives.
BACKGROUND: ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AWARDS, ETC
Education
BFA Illustration – Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR, May 2000
Art Courses and Business Studies – University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 1995-96
Entrepreneurial History 2000-14
Orwick ARTS, LLC, Beaverton, OR, 2007- Present
Oregon Children’s Theatre Illustrator, 2007-2009
Orwick Illustration, Hillsboro, OR: Freelance Artist, 2001-2007
Will Vinton Studios, Portland, OR: Storyboard Artist, Intern, 1999
Teaching
Painting Teacher, Oregon Society of Artist 2014
Ongoing Yearly 2008-2014 Three and five day workshops in Cannon Beach Oregon and beyond
Art Instructor at Clark College, Oil Painting, Vancouver, WA, 2008-2013
Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro, OR, 2003-2011
Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Arts Teacher, kindergarten through adult, Hillsboro, OR, 2000-2003
Heritage Arts Studio, North Plains, OR, 2002-2003
Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, OR, 2002
Shows and awards
2014
2 paintings selected as Finalists, January Raymar 9th annuel Fine Art Competition
Judge, Gateway to Sedona Fine Art Competition
3rd Place, Gamblin Oil paints award, Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River
New Gallery representaion Brian Marki Fine Art – Palm Springs, CA
New Gallery representaion Angel Gallery Fine Art Coeur d'Alene, ID
First Place Cannon Beach Plein Air and More Art Competion Judged by SW Art Magazine
DragonFire Studios & Gallery Stormy Weather Winter Unveiling Art Festival, Cannon Beach, OR with permanent exhibit
Rip Caswell Gallery, Featured Artist
Dragon Fire Gallery, Featured Artist
Spring Unveiling and Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Cole Gallery Group Show, Edmonds, WA January 1 - 30, with permanent exhibit
Anniversary Group Show The Gallery At The Watershed, Eugene OR
2013
Judge, Raymar 8th annuel Fine Art Competition
SouthWest Art Award Cannon Beach Plein Air and more.
First Place, Cannon Beach Plein Air and more.
New Gallery representaion Gallery 903 – Portland, OR
Rip Caswell Gallery, Featured Artist
DragonFire Studios & Gallery Stormy Weather Winter Unveiling Art Festival, Cannon Beach, OR with permanent exhibit
Spring Unveiling and Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Cole Gallery, Featured Artist, Edmonds WA
Cole Gallery Group Show, Edmonds, WA January 1 - 30, with permanent exhibit
Oil Painters of America, National 2013 Juried Salon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, MI
Two person show, The Gallery At The Watershed, Eugene OR
Group Show, Plein Air Art Elements Gallery, Newberg Gallery
Best Mountain, Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River Sept
2012
New Gallery representaion, Tetons Gallery, Jackson Hole WY
3rd Place Hillsboro Plein Air June
DragonFire Studios & Gallery Stormy Weather Winter Unveiling Art Festival, Cannon Beach, OR with permanent exhibit
Cannon Beach Plein air June
Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River Sept
Rip Caswell Gallery Plein Air invitational
Rip Caswell Gallery, Featured Artist
Dragon Fire Gallery, Featured Artist
Spring Unveiling and Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Cole Gallery, Featured Artist
Freed Gallery
Salon International, Green House Gallery
Art On Broadway, Special Guest
Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River Sept
2011
New Gallery representaion, Art Elements Gallery, Newberg, OR
Pinot & Palette: Art of Michael Orwick | Art of Pinot Noir, May 20 – June 18, 2011
Art Elements Gallery, Newberg, OR
DragonFire Studios & Gallery Stormy Weather Winter Unveiling Art Festival, Cannon Beach, OR with permanent exhibit
with exhibits at Sokol Blosser, Anne Amie Vineyard & Vista Hills Vineyard
Cole Gallery Group Show, Edmonds, WA January 1 - 30, with permanent exhibit
Terpin Gallery Jackson Hole Wyoming
Jackson Fall Arts Festival, Jackson Hole Wyoming
Hillsboro Plein Air June
Cannon Beach Plein air June
Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River Sept
Rip Caswell Gallery Plein Air invitational
Rip Caswell Gallery, Featured Artist
Dragon Fire Gallery, Featured Artist
Spring Unveiling and Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Cole Gallery, Featured Artist
Freed Gallery
Salon International, Green House Gallery
2010
New Gallery representaionTerpin Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
New Gallery representaion, Rip Caswell Gallery, Troutdale, OR
Oil Painters of America (OPA) National Exhibition, Legacy Gallery, AZ
Rip Caswell Gallery, Featured Artist: It’s A Woman’s World
Works added to Caswell Permanent Collection
Newberg Gallery, Newberg OR — ongoing exhibit
Art On Broadway Gallery, April Featured Artist, Beaverton, OR
DragonFire Studios & Gallery Spring Unveiling Art Festival, Cannon Beach, OR with permanent exhibit
Featured Artist, Cole Gallery group show, Edmonds, WA, April 1 – 30 with permanent exhibit
Whimsy, Columbia Art Gallery, Hood River, OR, March 5 - 28
Cole Gallery Group Show, Edmonds, WA January 1 - 30, with permanent exhibit
Hillsboro Plein Air June
Cannon Beach Plein air June
Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competion Hood River Sept
2009
Two-person show, Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro, OR
December – January
January Group Show, Studio West, Eugene OR
Unveiling of Lebanon Oregon Public Library Commission (three 4x6 foot landscape paintings), Lebanon, OR, December
QuickDraw Event, Tolovana Inn, Cannon Beach, OR, November
Stormy Weather Festival & Unveiling, DragonFire Studios & Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR, November
Three-person show, Newberg Gallery, Newberg OR, November
Invitational QuickDraw at the Allison Hotel, Newberg, OR, October
Two-person show, Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA
Pacific Northwest Plein Air Show, Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, OR, August
Lake Oswego Art Festival, Lake Oswego, OR, Award: Awakening, Fishhawk Lake, August
The Allison Hotel, 6 paintings permanent collection, Newberg, OR, July
Solo show at Freed Gallery, Lincoln City, OR
Plein Air in Cannon Beach, Cannon Beach, OR, June
Spring Unveiling, DragonFire Studios and Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR (permanent)
2008 - 2006
2008 – Featured Artist at Valley Arts, Forest Grove, OR
2008 – New artist show at Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA (on permanent display)
2008 – Freed Gallery Landscape show (on permanent display), Lincoln City, OR
2008 – Kingstad Gallery, Beaverton, OR (Guest artist)
2007 – Salon International, Green House Galley, TX
2007 – Featured Artist at City Arts, Portland OR
2007 – Beaverton Arts Show Case, Beaverton, OR
2007 – Cube Gallery, Beaverton, OR
2007 – Studio 2 Gallery, Tigard, OR
2007 – Ann Amie Vineyard, Dundee, OR
2007 – Urban Wine works, McMinnville, OR
2006 – Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro OR
2006 – Mount Hood Hospital – Art Commissions – Gresham, OR
2006 – Oregon Plein Air Show, Beaverton, OR
2006 – Hood River Plein Air Show, Hood River, OR
2006 – Oswego Lake Gallery Landscape Show, Lake Oswego, OR
2006 – Beaverton Arts Show Case, Beaverton, OR
2006 –1st Place & Best in Show, Newberg Harvest Festival Art Show, Newberg, OR
2005 - 03
2005 – DragonFire Studio and Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR
2005 – Beaverton Arts Show Case, Beaverton, OR
2004 – Mythic Journeys Show, Atlanta, GA
2005 – Best in Show– Newberg Harvest Festival, Newberg, OR
2005 – Lebanon Clinic commission painting, Lebanon, OR
2004 – North Plains Public Library art commission, North Plains, OR
2004-2006 – Modern Masters of Fantasy, San Diego, CA
2004 – 1st place at the Newberg Harvest Festival Art Show, Newberg, OR
2004 – Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery, Portland, OR
2003 – North Beach Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 – Art Work Gallery, New York, NY
2003 – PNCA Alumni Show, Portland, OR
2003 – Studio 2 Gallery, Sherwood, OR
2002 - 1999
2002 – First Place, Emerging Artist Competition, GA
2002 – Duirwaigh Gallery, GA 2002-2006
2002 – Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery, Portland, OR 2002
2002 – Solo Show at Billy Reeds, Portland, OR 2002
2002 – Hillsboro Festival of the Arts, Hillsboro, OR 2001
2001 – 1st Thursday in the Pearl “Street Show,” Portland, OR
2001 – Fine Arts and Wine Festival, Beaverton, OR
2001 – Beaverton Mall Gallery, Beaverton, OR
2001 – Beaverton City Hall, America, Beaverton, OR
2001 – Lebanon Hospital, Lebanon, OR
2001 – 1st Thursday in the Pearl, Portland, OR
2000 – PNCA Juried Painters Show, Portland, OR
2000 – PNCA Illustrators, Portland, OR
2000 – PNCA Thesis Show, Portland, OR
1999 – Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) Student Show, Portland, OR
Workshops (Oil Painting | Plein Air)
Cannon Beach Oil Painting Workshop, March 2011 and 2012
Painting Coastal Color & Light, June 2011 and 2013
Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce – 3-day Workshop, March 2010
** Landscape Techniques in Oil Emerald Art Center, Springfield, [month] 2010
** Firesign Oil Painting Workshop, Quadra Island, BC, [month] 2010
Publications & Media
SW Art magaine 2014
Plein Air magazine 2014
Outdoor Painter “Father and Daughter Teach Each Other about Art” 2014
Outdoor Painter “Why it Works” 2013
American Art Collector Magazine 2013 two times.
American Art Collector Magazine 2012
Color and Aroma, May 2010
American Art Collector Magazine, May 2010
Article in the Cannon Beach Gazette
Cannon Beach Citizen, March, 2010, “Love at First Sight,” Cannon Beach, OR
American Art Collector Magazine, February 2009
Cannon Beach Gazette, Cannon Beach, OR, November, 2009
KOIN Local 6, Portland, OR, November 19, 2009
Albany Democrat Herald, Albany, OR, December 6, 2009
Eugene Register Guard, Eugene, OR, December 11, 2009
Oregon Children’s Theatre posters and promotional materials, 2007-2009
Tori Amos Rainn Calendar and Auction, 2008
Cannon Beach Gazette, Cannon Beach, OR, November, 2008
Aphrodisia: Art of the Female Form, 2006
Enter the Duir, Film and book for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 2005
Oregonian, Interview, Portland Open Studios, Beaverton, OR, 2005
Breathe a Great Fire, Hopper Press, Portland, OR (publication pending), 2005
Modern Masters of Fantasy Epilogue press and CD, 2004
Blue Beads, a Story of Friendship, published April 2004 and reprinted 2005
Hillsboro Argus, Interview, Hillsboro, OR, 2003
Crystal and Glass in the Irish Forest, Laura Boitano Productions, 2003
Society of Children’s Book Writes and Illustrators, Interview, Bob Griggs, 2003
Fairies (book), Bastion Press, 2003
The Oregonian, Interview, Portland, OR, 2002
Hillsboro Argus, Interview, Hillsboro, OR, 2002
Memberships & Affiliations
LAPAPA, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
Oil Painters of America
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Oregon Plein Air Society
Oregon Society of Artists
Hillsboro Community of Arts, Hillsboro, OR
Beaverton Arts Commission, Beaverton, OR
Charitable Events
Robert’s Snow: for Cancer’s Cure. Sarcoma Research at Dana-Faber
Friends of the Children, Portland Branch
The SMART program
The Catlin Gable School
St. Mary’s Home for Boys, Beaverton
Beaverton Arts Commission
The Audubon Society of Oregon
The Glenn and Viola Walters Art Center, Hillsboro
Artist against hunger, Oregon Food Bank
Rotary Club in Bend, OR
Learn more about Michael Orwick, his accomplishments, workshops and more! Visit www.MichaelOrwick.com.
And find out how to participate in upcoming workshops. Visit:
https://www.michaelorwick.com/workshop/24584/summer-plein-airhttps://www.michaelorwick.com/workshop/24584/summer-plein-air
https://www.michaelorwick.com/workshop/24060/painting-the-oregon-coast