The use of pastel as an art medium can be traced back to the 16th century.  The artist that is attributed with the invention was Johann Thiele, a German painter.  A pastel is a colored crayon that consists of pigment mixed with an aqueous binder to hold it together.  Today there are two types of pastels, oil and soft chalk.  Pastel is considered the simplest and purist method of painting, since pure color is used and applied directly to the pastel paper.  Throughout the centuries, many famous artists have used pastel as a way to paint on the entire canvas with full color, without having to wait to see the final effect after it is dry.

Pastels allow Mike the freedom to capture his surroundings, feelings, and passion for life in an easy to use spontaneous manner.  Over the years Mike has explored many techniques and studied the techniques of many artists.  He has refined his methods and use of different tools to express his visions.  The layers of colors he uses, create bold and unique interpretations of the Southwest.

Mike uses the highest quality products available to ensure longevity of his artwork.  The pastel chalks are of the highest quality available.  The strong pigments prevent fading and ensure that the originals will last over time.  In addition, all materials are of archival quality, which will guarantee the preservation of the original creation over time.

When you purchase one of these masterpieces, you will receive a Giclee'.  The original pastel is digitized and archived, then the image is printed onto archival quality canvas.  The canvas is mounted to a foam core, which is backed with a solid piece of wood.  Each piece comes framed using weathered grain wood, hand selected to enhance and accent the colors used in the piece of work.   The combination of the frame and the Giclee', creates a unique visual experience allowing the owner to experience the true essence of the Southwest.  Lastly, each piece ships sealed with a letter of authenticity and ready to display for the owner to enjoy.

In order to purchase one of the below pieces of artwork, please contact us.