Mike had a plein air painting completed during the Carmel Art Festival in May, 2008, accepted into the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibit of Traditional Oils.  This prestigious show will be held at the Devin Galleries in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho from Sept 12 to Oct. 11, 2008.  Opening reception will be held on Sept 12, 2008 from 5 to 8PM.

The painting,"Morning Coastal Beauty" was painted one clear morning along the California coast at Garrapata State Beach between Pt Lobos and Big Sur.  Mike was poised just above the cliffs dropping to the Pacific ocean.  The view was perfect as the first light slid over the mountains to the east and was just irresistible.   The bridge located in the distance is the Rock Creek Bridge.  This area of the California coast contains unbelievable rugged beauty for miles and miles and is well worth the effort to visit whether you are a painter or not!