Membership Spotlight - Mike Rohlf

Michael Rohlf specializes in watercolor and acrylic paintings. He embraces an impressionistic style that captures the beauty of landscapes, seascapes, and the wonders of nature, including birds and flora. Inspired early on by the works of Andrew Wyeth, Michael's love for art is centered around capturing the essence of light and color in his work. Michael cultivated his artistic skills and knowledge by studying art history at Franklin & Marshall College and earning a Bachelor of Science in Art Education at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. His creative journey was deeply influenced by his family. His father, an opera performer, and his mother, a set designer at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, nurtured his artistic spirit. Painting opera sets together was a family tradition that enriched his appreciation for art from an early age. To further develop his craft, Michael continuously seeks new techniques by attending workshops at the Brandywine Museum of Art, which showcases the works of Andrew Wyeth and N.C. Wyeth. He is also an active member of the Southwest Watercolor Society, where he engages with fellow artists and shares his passion for watercolor. In addition to his mastery of watercolor, Michael excels in working with acrylics, particularly when creating large-scale landscapes and seascapes on canvas. He draws inspiration from the quote, “In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light," a principle that guides him in capturing the interplay of light with just a few brush strokes, breathing life into his watercolor paintings. Michael's work is a testament to his ability to evoke emotion with simplicity and depth, making each piece a memorable moment from the world he sees.