We recently connected with Michael Koehler and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I was never really taught how to paint. I had a painting class in college but it focused mainly on watercolor and gouache. So learning to paint in acrylic has taken many years of trying, failing and eventually building up my skills and finding what works for me. I push myself to try new approaches and techniques which may or may not work out in the end, but I give myself a space for experimentation where I can build upon the skills I’ve accumulated over time.

I could’ve went to school for fine art rather than graphic design, which would have sped up the learning process considerably. It would have at least given me a grasp of the materials and shown me how to bring out each medium’s best qualities. But while it’s taken me longer to learn my craft, my path has gotten me to where I am today and I’m happy with the work that I’m producing. Who knows what type of art I’d be creating if I had gotten my BFA?

The skills that I find most essential.. well of course the technical application of paint to panel. But also allowing myself to simply observe my surroundings and letting my mind play around with what I’m experiencing at that moment. My imagination will wander around me creating an altered world, a new construction or a hidden story. I let my curiosity guide me and try to remember to take notes for later in the studio. Time management is also pretty crucial.

One of the biggest obstacles to learning more is not knowing what you don’t know or don’t have access to. You can work at something while getting poor results until maybe someone shows you a trick or you happen to find literature or a video showing you a much simpler or effective way. Sometimes you have to dig and do loads of research from different angles.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an acrylic painter with a focus on surreal portraiture. My work orbits around our relationship to nature in an increasingly technologically dependent world. The subjects are assembled from a tangled array of wires, tubes, plants, and flowers. They exist in an alternate reality where the natural and unnatural grow in tandem, coalescing into something altogether greater than the sum of their many parts.

I think like many other artists, I create because I have the never ending urge to produce something based on my experience here on Earth. It’s my way of processing the world around me. I enjoy the process of creating a piece, from finding inspiration around me, to drawing out ideas in my sketchbook, to working with the paint and bringing a portrait to life with each brushstroke. I love producing something that others can appreciate or even gain meaning from. If my work can inspire someone, even in the smallest of ways, then I feel that I’ve created something worthwhile.


Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was a graphic designer for about 8 years, working both in-house and as a freelancer. I would spend hours in front of a computer screen each day creating someone else’s vision, still in a creative capacity but not as a form of expression. Once I got home, I’d want to create something for myself. I had always been into drawing while growing up and would dabble with painting from time to time. While working as a full time graphic designer, I began to feel the need for a more creative outlet. After visiting a few local galleries and taking art books out from the library, I was inspired to create my own work. I started off with small, somewhat simple paintings and eventually built ups my skills enough to show in a couple local galleries. When I eventually left the field of graphic design my need for a creative outlet grew stronger. I began painting more, exploring different themes, learning more about my medium and working to get my art out into the world. I’m grateful for the the time spent working as a designer as it taught me many things that I still find useful today, but ultimately I needed to create work for myself. I’m happy that I realized this all those years ago and while it was a nerve wracking pivot, I allowed myself to follow a path that is much more gratifying.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the best books I’ve read on the topic of pursuing art as a business/career is “Launching Your Art Career” by Alix Sloan. I’ve read it multiple times and it’s proven to be an indispensable resource while navigating the complexities of the art world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michaelkoehlerart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkoehlerart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkoehlerart