Testimonials

Your work is simply breathtaking!  When I saw your instruction on YouTube, I could not believe how incredibly approachable you were with your students and how you took highly complex subjects and broke down the elements into simple, understandable idea and techniques.  The world of art is an ocean, and I continue to be fascinated with those who can take people from standing in the beach with their toe the water, to swimming in the deep end.  You are one of those rare souls.  Thank you for sharing of yourself and your spirit.  I also thought that those who have the gift to inspire others are the closest thing that humanity will ever experience or know of a true hero. A million times, thank you.  - J. Jordan Weller

 

Your paintings are the kind that I can just sit and like stare at them forever.  - Ronda Forbes

You capture the essence of light and mother nature through your mind’s eye with your heart and soul! - Deborah Garrity 

 

"Michael, your artwork brings the beauty of nature to another level. I can feel the sun, experience the myriads of colors, and they just speak to something in my soul" - Doris Lipke

 

 

This was my first online Zoom-based art course, and I was very nervous about it at so many levels. I shouldn’t have worried! Michael has a down to earth and easy-going manner and I felt comfortable in the class from the very beginning. His warmth and genuine regard for his students is obvious. Michael’s ability to “herd cats” in his classes is quite amazing. We are quite the diverse group — different personalities…different skill levels…different goals. He somehow brought us all together and made the group sing.

 

Not only was the course content extremely valuable, but the companionship of the group and the benefits of working in a group helped me develop new skills quickly. I am able to work more confidently now, rather than cast about blindly, trying to stumble upon the correct solutions for the challenges that emerge as my paintings develop.

 

Michael is a master of many different techniques and media, and he introduced us to many ways to start and develop our paintings. My toolbox of techniques has expanded dramatically, and I no longer experience “artist’s block” when starting my paintings. 

 

The value of this course far exceeds the fee.  -Linda Morgan-OConnor, Myrtle Beach, SC

 

The gift of Michael's classes for me is experimentation and exploration. He (gently) forces me to step out of my comfort zone and push my creative boundaries.  I love the journey I'm on with Michael and others participating in his classes.  - Gail Riggins

 

Great job, Michael. I can almost feel the chill in the air, picture the flickering of filtered light forcing its way through the trees in the slight breeze, hear the warble of distant birds and smell the aromas that early morning conjures up. It is amazing how a little paint on a canvas can stimulate the imagination and the senses in such a compelling way.

-Rick Jaspers

 

 “The worlds and the light you literally create and share through your brush, canvas, and eyes do make a difference in this world of ours. Thank you for letting us visit your studio in person and online, and thank you for sharing your process and your Art. You make the world a better and more light-filled place. Thank you for continuing to paint and create and inspire.” - LK Holmberg 

 

 

We'd been looking for a special piece to hang above our fireplace for over 20 years; the space is long and narrow, so quite the challenge. We were chatting with Michael at the annual Dueling Easels at Dragonfire Art in Cannon Beach in November 2023, and he was intrigued, so we showed him a photo of our favorite beach here at home in Bandon, Oregon. He literally lit up and said he'd love to paint the scene for us. If you know Michael, his joy and enthusiasm are infectious.

Exactly four months after this conversation, we picked up our gorgeous painting "Return of the Sun" for our living room. The process couldn't have been more enjoyable and communication throughout easy and straightforward. Michael is attentive and accommodating, flexible without acquiescing if he feels strongly about a point of discussion. We couldn't be more pleased!  -Jane Ujhazi, Jeffrey Weymouth, Bandon, Oregon

 

Hi Michael, 

Just wanted to say thank you for a great class over the weekend, it was just what I needed and was looking for on my art journey.  I am excited to work with some of these new techniques in my paintings and very grateful, it is helping me get back into my art practice.  Thank you for sharing! - Robin Charters

"So powerfully do Orwick’s stately vineyards and meditative sunsets, and serene woodlands, impose themselves upon our own emotional memory that they become the places we live, visit, and remember -- as much as, even more than, their real-world counterparts. Orwick compares it to storytelling, akin to a Rorschach inkblot, but the result is the same: these are more than just landscapes; they are our venues, settings in which we, the audience, become characters with unique experiences. Such an accomplishment transcends mere regional appeal and requires so much more than solid technique and talent with a paintbrush. It demands empathy and human understanding of the most profound kind. Plein air painters are always saying how the eye sees differently than the camera -- well, as Orwick clearly shows, the heart sees differently than either."- Luke Fanni

 

Thanks again Michael for another great class.  I continue to grow my awareness about art making through your teachings.  I intend to take more of your classes in the future because you create an environment that is conducive to learning.  I appreciate how you teach concepts through explanation, discussion, and demonstration.  You deepen your student’s understanding through your assignments and gentle critiques. I would highly recommend your class to anyone interested in increasing their art skills. - Dianne Lewis

 

 

"There are lots of kinds of ugliness. Spite, bitterness, anger, hate. There are a lot of ways ugliness can come to our attention. News and social media alone make ugliness seem like it's in the very air we breathe.

It can get to be too much.

It is possible to shift our internal narratives, to choose instead to see beauty. However, depending on what we've experienced in our lives, shifting internal narratives can be a difficult process. And even after we have crossed a threshold and made a significant shift in reframing around beauty, we often need help remembering. We need help from outside of ourselves.

That help in remembering beauty could come from a friend, a pet, or a song. Or a work of art.

Michael Orwick's paintings are reminders of beauty. The beauty in our lives and in the world around us. They alchemically, naturally, gracefully, and consistently resolve to beauty. Even when the starting place is something as completely dark as death, they resolve to find the light.

Orwick's paintings are like beauty giving you a hug. It could be a hug that bears the weight of grief. Or it could be a reorienting pause at the beginning of the day. Either way, these painterly hugs are a conduit to beauty, something we all could use a little of, every day."

- Steve Frost

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to teach. You have a talent for it. It is wonderful how you use that talent.

This was my first painting class ever, and I was very excited to learn. I've only painted a few times with acrylics and I was eager to absorb everything I could. The first day was eye-opening! To witness someone creating a beautiful painting in such a short amount of time! Michael's tips and strategies were everything I could have hoped for. He had extensive notes for people who are more intellectual learners, he demonstrated his art for the more visual learners, and he also had hours and hours of practical application for the more hands-on learners. Everyone could learn the way they wanted/needed to learn. He was never pushy or told us we HAD to be doing any specific thing at a specific time, it was very freeing. At one point on the second day, after he had given a few points of instruction, he said "fly" and left us to do just that. We were starting a "plein air" landscape unit. So I eagerly went en Plein air to put into practice the things I had learned and fell SPECTACULARLY on my FACE, figuratively speaking. My painting was atrocious and I was incredibly discouraged. I didn't know what was wrong and I thought I was using the techniques Michael had taught, but I was missing a key component and I just couldn't figure it out. That's when Michael came out of the building and peeked at my painting. I wanted to throw it in the bushes and cry. He immediately could see what my painting needed, but he didn't just come out and say "do steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 and it will be fixed", he let me learn from my mistake and said simply "come over here and paint with me". He did mention that I was missing my "levels", one of the 4 major steps of painting a great painting, which helped me later on when I went back to my awful acrylic disaster, but the thing that changed me was just sitting next to him and mimicking his strokes, colors, and method. I needed a start-to-finish paint-along and he was kind enough to provide that for the students that needed that help. I painted through the heartache and felt like Michael would support my 'broken wing'. He didn't let me down. I also watched as he worked with MUCH more experienced artists. He had an instinctive grasp for how to work with each different type of student, from the professional who was there to learn Michael's specific style, to the person who was just there to have a great painting weekend. I would ABSOLUTELY go to another workshop from Michael. He is just an all-around wonderful teacher. 

Thank you again, Michael!

~Desire'

My husband and I fell in love with Michael's work at Dragonfire Gallery in Cannon Beach about 6 years ago. it was the first time we both loved the same type of art, we just couldn't get over the vintage landscape look but with pops of electric colors! We have been dreaming of owning a piece of his work for years. The opportunity came when my husband surprised me and signed me (amateur/ hobby painter) up for the winter art lesson taught by Michael! I just about died, I'm not even an artist! It was a wonderful experience and we were able to make a home for our first two Orwick paintings.  - Anjali Miller of Anjali Interiors

 

Dear Michael,

We have been wanting to get back to you to thank you again for revisiting “Blazing Horizons.” We simply love the painting, reflecting on its luminous quality and deeper meaning every day. For now the artwork sits on our living room mantel, a place of reverence and prominence in our home. We receive innumerable comments regarding the work and enjoy telling the story of how the painting came to be. Take good care and continue to bring much needed beauty into our world. 

Best, Pat and Connie

 

 

The week-long Plein air painting workshop with Michael Orwick was the best investment I could make in myself as it further developed my eye for composition, technique, light, and color. With his candid guidance, the class of beginners through experienced artists learned through his daily painting demonstrations, practical tips and tricks, and personal coaching with each painting project. The class was much more than I expected as it offered maximum time actually painting and practicing the lessons...plus it was a truly wonderful experience being on the coast of Oregon.

Hello Michael,  I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent effort that you and Eric put into the class at Cannon Beach.   The information that you presented was extremely useful, timely, and good for everyone from beginner to advanced artists.  Whether the information was previously known or not, it is always good to be reminded of basic principles when in the midst of creative expression.   My experience was that individual help was available to allow everyone to be met at their current level of expertise. 

 I especially liked the humor with which the class was presented and the multitude of opportunities to get out and paint.   I felt as if you went above and beyond expectations to make the workshop a valuable tool and to make everyone feel welcome and have fun.  I am honored to provide this critique.  

With sincere Gratitude, Jan  (Cannon Beach Plein Air workshop with Eric Jacobsen)

Mr. Orwick, I am an Oregon resident, from the Salem Area. I grew up on a farm near Silverton. I am now in the military and haven't been home for anything more than a visit in a few years. If you have ever been away from Oregon for a long period of time, you will understand, as I do that Oregon is quite simply one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The Smells, views, temperature, sounds, all of it are so beautiful and mean very much to me. I wanted to let you know that I came across your painting entitled "Morning light on an Oregon Farm" and my heart literally jumped, I could quite literally smell the crisp freshly cut grass on cool early July morning air, and I thought for sure I could hear the drone and clanking of the last of the swathing machines finishing up their fields in the distance. I actually teared up with homesickness and sensory overwhelm. That Painting is a perfect piece of art. Thank You for creating it.

Sincerely, Lt Sean Peters

Click to read Rick Jasper's blog post about taking a workshop from Michael Orwick

http://michaelorwick.com/blog/29500/thinking-about-taking-a-painting-workshop

Please check out this short video from our 2013 Cannon Beach Workshop, with Eric Jacobsen and Michael Orwick. So much beautiful scenery.http://animoto.com/play/XwnQPHLl8XPWHzt13hp53g

Michael was very knowledgeable and I learned many concepts that other workshops tend to overlook. My painting improved noticeably during the class and I came away with new energy and enthusiasm for painting.

Sincerely, Gary Chaffin

If you want to improve your art skills with a supportive teacher and community, look no further!   I have been taking Michael’s classes for a year.  When I first signed up, I misunderstood that the class was an acrylics class.  Michael primarily teaches oil painting BUT it didn’t matter.  He teaches about ART in a fun, relaxed manner.  I have learned more from his classes than any art class I have taken in the past!

- Diane Lewis 

I have taken workshops over the past 20 years and Michael Orwick's was by far my favorite.  He excels in both verbal instruction and visual demonstration combining both with supportive individual critique and above all FUN!  I recommend any workshop by Michael for beginners and advanced alike.

-Trieste Andrews

What I find amazing is how your artwork draws out emotion from the viewer. ... every time I see your art, there is emotion, not just technique and style or medium used, nor spacial reference... there is an inference... like a hidden agenda... Its like I can sit for hours looking at one of your paintings... thank you for sharing yourself.

-Caila Okeefe

So much great stuff! Thank you! Never having gone to art school for the basics I so appreciated you instruction - now to learn to apply - guess I'll just paint paint paint!  Thank you.

-Ani Sinclair

"I've recently become a fan of your work after "stumbling" across it on Facebook. I ride mountain bikes. My favorite rides begin so early that it is completely dark. As I ride, the sky transitions from night to gray. The birds begin to chirp and the landforms merge from the night. As the sun climbs into the sky, it strikes the water, raising the mist that softens the transition into day. Many of your paintings capture that magic moment and remind me of my favorite outdoor moments. That is why I became a fan of your work. It takes me to those moments."

-Angela Rose-lane

Michael, You Rock!  Thanks for the great class! I learned so much and really appreciate your efforts to teach so much, to give us so much information - way more than the other instructors.

-Steve Schwitzer

It was a great class, thank you.

-Deanna Grimes

Michael, thank you so much for the wonderful, fun, and informative workshop!!  We are grateful to you for taking the time for our little group.  Thank you!

-Margaret Plumb

Thank you so much, Michael.  I learn something every time I take your class.  This workshop was especially stimulating with a great group of other students who were serious and willing to soak up the knowledge presented.  You have a great spirit of generosity that permeates the classroom, making us all able to see things in a new way.  I would definitely want to take this workshop again.

-Sheri Gorman

I enjoyed the whole workshop.  Good theory, lots of great tips, and good critique.  It was a great venue with fun exercises.  I can’t wait for next year.

-Renee Jaspers-Johnson

Love the honesty and helpful suggestions. Color theory and color analysis were really easy to understand and useful.

-Claudia Zimmerman

Fun as always - Good ideas - I like the way you clearly and gently critique.  I look forward to next year.

-Kristi Boland

My 1st workshop - love the concentrated time without having to clean up!  There was such a great atmosphere - an easy and expert combination in your teaching Michael.  I Loved hearing Eeva, the owner of Dragonfire Gallery talk about her side and what she wants from the artists she represents - very informative and helpful.  I plan on doing more of your workshops.  Great resource materials - maybe soon I will venture outdoors for Plein air.

-Terry Halverson

Great workshop! Love the freedom with color.

-Cheryl McConnell

As a beginner, I found the workshop to be informative and helpful.

-Dave Montgomery

I really appreciate your ability to reach both the novice and the experienced painter.

-Keith Robinson

Michael is down to earth, he is willing to hang out together but he is an authentic teacher.  Everyone learned to allot just by listening to him.  Thank you.

-Chris

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to pick up my brushes – for the first time in 20 years! I enjoyed the different techniques and look forward to mixing and matching them and making them my own.  I enjoyed learning it all!!  Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.

-Carla Richey

I appreciated the nonthreatening environment that was immediately established. I enjoyed your teaching style of less formality with touches of humor.  I would be interested in attending again next year.

-Bob Low

This is the second time I have taken this class – but I learned so many new tips and techniques. I can’t wait to try them at home.  Wonderful class – wonderful teacher.  I can’t wait for the next one.

-Trieste Andrews

I have taken many painting workshops and classes over the years and Michael's class has been by far the best yet.  It has also been so much fun.  Michael knows how to break down a complicated process into small bites and simple language and set his students up to be successful.  He is open and generous with his time.  We had an after-class bonus of Plein air session.  I will look for opportunities to take more workshops from Michael in the future.

-Laurie S.

I'm starting my third class with Michael. I've taken multiple classes throughout the years and Michael's classes surpass them all. His instruction is top notch, he spends time with each of his students, critiques but doesn't criticize and is all in all an incredible artist and person. As long as Michael is offering to teach his techniques, I will be his student. - Sharon Hadley