Mike Simpson

An Introduction to Mike Simpson

An American Painter

Mike’s early career as an artist attracted recognition through his accurate, highly detailed pencil sketches of the contemporary working cowboy.  In the 70’s, with encouragement from Ed Runci (a former Coca Cola illustrator turned professional oil painter), Mike began to work in oils.  His subjects also changed, enlarging to landscape, particularly that of the cowboy-in-context.  During this period, Mike had further help from Joe Beeler, founding member of the Cowboy Artists of America.

Mike is no stranger to the West and it’s lifestyle.  From cowboying on some of the west’s largest ranches, horse back packing in the Rockies, being a lease agent on the Crow Indian Reservation, to running sled dogs in the Colorado high country in the winter.  Mike not only lives in the West, Mike lives the West, and that is what he paints, the West.

Respect for technique and generosity toward influences are characteristic of Mike’s comments about his work.  Largely self taught, Mike has relied upon mentor’s advice to develop his talent.  “Studying under Wayne Wolfe and Ralph Oberg, both widely known landscape artists, has been a real help in getting me to understand what to look for and how to relate what I see to canvas or paper when I’m painting outside.”  Confident of his increasing maturity in handling both oils and watercolors, he says “I finally learned about some of the things I was having trouble with before.  The painstaking style I used was really tiring, and I couldn’t seem to loosen up like I wanted to.  Now, whenever I am having difficulty with a subject, I remember what Ed Runci told me. ‘Just paint the color of the tree, not all of the leaves,’ meaning to forget all the little details and concentrate on the color and shape of the subject.  One time he even took all of my little brushes away and broke them up in a fit of frustration.  In turn he bought me some bigger ones and taught me how to use those.”

Sensitivity to the West is central to Mike’s work.  “The West is my home.  I believe it to be unique.  The landscape, the buildings, the people and the animals that make up the west is what I paint.  When not in his gallery/studio, Mike can usually be found out painting on location, gathering reference material for future paintings or merely “living the West”.

In cooperation with officials of several of the National Parks in the West, Mike has embarked on an ambitious project to depict the four seasons of these richly scenic wonders.  “The thing that strikes me the most is the varied influence of the light.  Depending on the time of day, the weather and the season, the mood and quality of light is always different.”  His goal is to portray these changes of season through his eyes and record this phenomena in an artistic manner for all to enjoy.

For information regarding Mike’s paintings and representation, please call 970.249.1098 or 800.905.5278.

Painting on location
in Western Montana