Michael King CV

michael king plein air painting in pitt meadows

Plein Air Painting in Pitt Meadows :: Image Credit Renato Muccillo

Artist Statement

My creative process is all about taking my time with painting, whether I’m working in my studio or out in nature. By spending extended periods on each piece, I can truly immerse myself in the landscape and observe the subtle changes in light. This approach allows me to capture more than just fleeting moments; it lets me experience and convey the passage of time itself.

Biography

Michael King, a Canadian painter, is passionate about plein air (outdoor) painting, concentrating on capturing the essence of the landscape. His direct experiences in the outdoors serve as a driving force behind the creation of his more extensive studio works.

Always looking for the nuance of light, shape and colour, he combines representational elements with an Impressionistic style. His paintings strike a balance between realistic observation and abstract interpretation resulting in a unique and captivating aesthetic.

With his formal education in Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa, King’s career in product design influenced his approach to his art. King places a strong emphasis on mastery of the technical aspects of painting, design and his need for simplicity.

As an enthusiastic instructor, his workshops teach painting and design in a straightforward, accessible manner with a philosophy grounded in scientific fundamentals of perception, anatomy and observation, along with time-proven principles of art.

King is the founder of PleinAirBC.com and the artful:minds artist community. He is the past president and past vice president of the Fraser Valley Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). He is also a past board member of The Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) and the Friends of Leigh Square, in Port Coquitlam.

King’s work appears in private collections throughout Canada, the United States and the UK while winning a few awards in a variety of exhibitions and competitions. He accepts private commissions for still lifes, landscapes, and portraiture.

Education

  • Bachelor of Industrial Design (with Distinction) :: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario (1992)
  • Workshops lead by professional artists including Robert Genn, Murray Phillips,  Mike Svob, Dianna Ponting, Jerry Markham, Suzanne Northcott , David Goatley and Sarah Kidner.

Exhibitions

  • 2024, Steveston Grand Prix Plein Air, Steveston, BC
  • 2023, Transitions Solo Show, 1000 Parker Street, Vancouver, BC
  • 2023, Landscapes, BC Wide Juried Exhibition, Langley Arts Council, Langley, BC
  • 2023, Paint the Mountain Plein Air Invitations, British Pacific Properties, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2023, Oil & Water Juried Show, Gallery 1710, Delta, BC
  • 2022, Explorations Solo Show, Braid St Studios Gallery, Port Coquitlam, BC
  • 2022, Anonymous Art Show, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2022, Paint the Mountain Plein Air Invitations, British Pacific Properties, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2021, Anonymous Art Show, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2021, June 12-25, Close to Home Plein Air Solo Show, Braid St Studios, Port Coquitlam, BC
  • 2020, Anonymous Art Show, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2019, International Artist Day Anonymous Art Show, Braid St Studios, New Westminster, BC
  • 2019, Anonymous Art Show, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2018, International Artist Day Anonymous Art Show, Braid St Studios, New Westminster, BC
  • 2017, International Artist Day Anonymous Art Show, Braid St Studios, New Westminster, BC
  • 2017, Grand Prix de Art, Steveston, BC
  • 2017, Paint the Mountain Plein Air Invitations, British Pacific Properties, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2016, Capture Coquitlam, Place des Arts, Coquitlam, BC
  • 2016, Paint the Mountain Plein Air Invitations, British Pacific Properties, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2015, Anonymous Art Show, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2015, PoCo Portrait Painting Project, Our Time, Our Town, Leigh Square Arts Village, Port Coquitlam, BC
  • 2014, FVC Juried Show, The Act Arts Centre, Maple Ridge, BC
  • 2014, Group Show, Omega Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2014, Spring Show, The Reach Gallery Museum, Maple Ridge, BC
  • 2013, An Artist’s View of Your City, Leigh Square Community Arts Village, City of Port Coquitlam
  • 2013, Still Life Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2013, SCA’s Members Juried Exhibition, Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Toronto, On
  • 2013, Semiahmoo Show, Semiahmoo Arts Centre, South Surrey, BC
  • 2013, Work on Papers, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2012, Painting on the Edge, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2012, Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2012, Landscape Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2011, This Earth of Ours, Place des Arts, Coquitlam, BC
  • 2011, Annual Abstract Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2010, Fall Show, Mission Art Centre, Mission, BC
  • 2010, 65 Red Roses Mural, BC Children Hospital, Painting No. 60
  • 2010, Kunamokst Mural, Galiano Island :: Panel 201
  • 2009, Abstract Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2009, Still Life Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2009, Frogstone Grill, Coquitlam, BC
  • 2009, FCA Chapter Spring Show, Kariton Gallery, Abbotsford, BC
  • 2009, Mixed Media Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2008, FCA Chapter Fall Show, Ledgeview Golf & Country Club, Abbotsford, BC
  • 2008, Lumineux  ::  April :: Still Life :: Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2008, Red & Gold :: FCA Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC

Accolades

  • 2024, Grand Prize Cup Winner, Steveston Grand Prix Plein Air, Steveston, BC
  • 2022, 2nd Place Winner, Paint the Mountain Plein Air Invitations, British Pacific Properties, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2021, 2nd Place, Surrey Art Gallery Association Competitive Paint Off
  • 2014, 2nd Place :: Looking Back, FVC Juried Show, The Act Arts Centre, Maple Ridge, BC
  • 2013, 1st Place, Rocky Surf :: FVC Semiahmoo Show, Surrey, BC
  • 2010, Award of Excellence, Ornaments I, FVC Fall Show, Mission Art Centre, Mission, BC
  • 2009, Award of Excellence :: Style :: Mixed Media Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC
  • 2008, Finalist, The Artist’s Magazine 25th Annual Art Competition, Luscious
  • 2008, Best in Show, Luscious, Red & Gold, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, Vancouver, BC

Publications

  • International Artist Magazine,What to Paint When you Arrive, Issue #144, Apr/May 2022
  • International Artist Magazine, The Importance to Colour Temperature Shifting, Issue #143, Feb/Mar 2022
  • International Artist Magazine, Plein Air Painting & Artistic Growth, Issue #142, Dec/Jan 2022
  • Art Avenue Magazine, My Approach to Plein Air, July/August 2016
  • Artists of British Columbia, vol. 3, 2011, p. 54-55
  • Artists of British Columbia, Cover, vol. 3, 2011

Collections

  • Private collection, Yorkshire, UK
  • Private collection, Abbotsford, BC
  • Private collection, Vancouver, BC
  • Private collection, Victoria, BC
  • Private collection, Toronto, ON
  • Private collection, Phoenix, AZ
  • Private collection, Detroit, MI
  • Private collection, Philadelphia, PA
  • Private collection, Redmond, WA
  • Private collection, Seattle, WA
  • Private collection, Sacramento, CA
  • Private collection, Philippines

Teaching

  • 2024, Federation of Canadian Artists, Foundation Instructor
  • 2024, Federation of Canadian Artists, Online Mentoring Instructor
  • 2024, Federation of Canadian Artists, Abstracting the Landscape Workshop
  • 2023, Port Kells Art Group, Langley, BC
  • 2023, North Shore Artists’ Guild, West Vancouver, BC
  • 2022, Honour Ranch, Plein Air Instruction, Ashcroft, BC
  • 2022, South Surrey White Rock Artist Society, Delta, BC
  • 2022, artful:minds founder and instructor
  • 2022, Plein Air Workshop, Pitt Meadows, BC
  • 2016, Summer Plein Air Workshop, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
  • 2015, Involved in Opus “By All Means Create’” video series
  • 2015, North Shore Artist Guild, North Vancouver, BC
  • 2014, Central Fraser Valley Graphics Guild, Abbotsford, BC
  • 2013-Present, Multiple in store Opus demos throughout the year
  • 2012-2016, Port Kells (Langley) Art Group: Instructed an intensive 10 week portrait workshop & a 10 week diverse topic course to help artists improve their painting
  • 2002, Guest Instructor, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC

Committees

  • 2009-2013, Board of Directors, Membership & Fundraising Chair, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
  • 2011-2016, Board of Directors, President & Vice President, Fraser Valley Chapter of FCA , Abbotsford, BC
  • 2012-2014, Board of Directors, Member at Large, Exhibition Committee, Friends of Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC

Jurying

  • 2016 Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge :: Langley, BC
  • 2015 Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge :: Langley, BC
  • 2013 Adventure Show :: Delta, BC