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Artist Statement

In painting, I embrace the impressionistic and representational approach, a documentary style that is emotionally evocative and expressive.

With each brush stroke, my attention shifts between technique and observation, capturing shapes of light, shadow and colour, developing the focal point while the surroundings fade into the periphery of the painting.

I aim to paint what the scene needs, no more and no less.

Biography

Michael King is a contemporary Canadian painter and art instructor based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He works primarily as an oil painter and is known for soft plein air landscapes, modern still lifes, and portraiture. With an eye for how light, shadow, and colour temperature form the fundamental elements of a scene, King’s practice blends representation with Impressionistic aesthetics. This juxtaposition of technique and intuition creates paintings that are poised between observational realism and abstraction.

With his formal education in Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa, King’s career in product design influenced his approach to fine art. King places strong emphasis on mastery of the technical aspects of painting, then allowing the educated subconscious to take reign during the painting process.

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

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 an associate member of the Oil painters of America. He is the past president and past vice president of the Fraser Valley Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He is also a past board member of The Federation of Canadian Artists and the Friends of Leigh Square, in Port Coquitlam. He is an active community member of Port Coquitlam, working with civic agencies and community organizations on arts related and city planning projects.