Michael studied painting and design at Paier College of Art, Coronado School of Fine Arts and Philadelphia College of Art. After a career as a designer, he has taught painting (with watercolor) for nine years in San Rafael, Corte Madera and Belvedere/Tiburon. He taught design and typography at two universities, teaches in Yosemite’s Artist in Residency program, taught a workshop in Italy this summer and is an elected BayWood Group member.
StatementMichael Friedland - Artist Statement
I fell in love with watercolor in my first year of art school. So, in my second year, I put the oil and acrylic paints in the closet and have been focusing on painting with watercolor ever since. I just love the way that this very unique medium can capture the feeling of light and how it can be made to do things with color that no other medium can. I love how it’s portable and more conducive to painting en plein air. An interesting parallel, for years I was drawn to and collected colored glass vases and enjoyed how they looked set against my windows. Looking at them one day recently, I finally realized that, ‘OH, it’s the same thing as a watercolor…looking at (enjoying!) color illuminated by light!’
