Love of cities and Pacific Northwest landscapes inspire his work. Michael Fisher painting in his Northwest Portland studio.

Michael Fisher’s pastel art portrays cityscapes of his home city of Portland, Oregon, and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Love of cities inspires Michael’s cityscape paintings. Having practiced for over 30 years as an architect and urban designer in London and Portland, he understands the design of streets, public places, walkways and transportation facilities. As a cityscape artist he seeks places that are visually compelling, paying close attention to effects of light and weather. He finds inspiration in the mundane – noticing how light dances on the street on a drizzly Portland day – and in the familiar – the somber mood of an empty street at night dimly lit by neon. Michael’s intention is to express his passion for urban life in his paintings. And as a bonus his cityscape work enriches his own experience of living in Portland.

Michael’s landscape paintings give expression to the wondrous beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Exploring a variety of landscapes has been one of his passions since moving here from London in 1976. And as with cityscapes, making landscape paintings deepens his connection to place. Many of Michael’s landscapes are painted on location, a practice that allows all of the senses to be felt and transmitted into the paintings. He has painted extensively on Sauvie Island close to his studio/gallery in Northwest Portland. He keeps his camper van ready to go, equipped with all necessary painting supplies for short and long road trips to favorite painting destinations.

As a pastel artist Michael enjoys the immediacy of the medium. Working in pastel is a continuous process of layering colors and values to create vibrant light in the painting. Reflected light from a pastel painting is luminous, a perfect medium for cityscape and landscape compositions. Typically Michael works on board coated with tinted pumice gel, brushed on to create a uniquely textured surface for each painting, a technique he learned from master pastelist Susan Ogilvie.

Other master pastelists that Michael has studied under include: Albert Handell, Richard McKinley, Doug Dawson and Kitty Wallis. He is deeply grateful for their generous support, skillful teachings, and their passion for pastel art.

Michael's recent and current art shows:

“Shadow and Light: Paintings of the Pittock Mansion”.  Joint shows at the Pittock Mansion and Broderick Gallery, March 2008

“Nine Takes” Group show of Portland Plein Aire Painters at O’Connors in Multnomah Village, March 2008

Upcoming Shows:

Portland Open Studios, October 11-12, 18-19.  My studio is open from 10am to 6pm. 2424 NW Northrup Street in Northwest Portland.

Albina Community Bank, Pearl District, December, 2008.  First Thursday Reception on December 4th.  NW10th and Glisan Streetcar Stop.