About

Mike Biskup

Everything and Everyone Connected

“In my paintings, everything flows together. Diverse colors, lines and shapes - People, places, plants and things are woven into one harmoniously functional ecosystem. I want to subtly remind viewers that we humans, in all our diversity, are essentially interconnected, and with insight, wisdom and dedication can function together harmoniously as well.” - Mike Biskup

BIO:

MIKE BISKUP (b. Los Angeles, CA 1970) is an artist who currently lives and works in Port Townsend, WA. He spent his youngest years drawing quirky characters and complex contraptions with his two older brothers. Later he earned a Fine Arts degree at UC Santa Cruz. Still later, he homeschooled three intrepid children in the wilds of Port Townsend. Nest emptied, Mike embraced his role as a bringer of visions in the Artist/Shaman tradition outlined by Joseph Campbell. In 2020, a powerful mystical experience shed new light on Everything...

In 2022 Mike was selected as an Arts in Embassies Artist for the US Department of State and is currently featured in an exhibition at the US Embassy in Pristina Kosovo, with Dale Chihuly, Kathleen Faulkner, and William Daniels.

Artist Statement:

“I turn on some music or an audiobook, grab a brush or pencil and start making shapes, lines, buildings, people, plants, things… I move a little faster than I can think and the picture seems to start making itself. I almost never have any idea what the completed painting will look like. This inspires me, because I love surprises! About a third of the way into each painting, I think it's a dud. I keep going and things almost always start looking better. When everything flows together nicely and the energy of it appears to be at its peak, I’m finished. Then I seal it in wax and frame it in wood. I’m inspired by nature, architecture, history, God, and the interconnectedness of all things. I want my paintings to be open-ended; to symbolize concepts and tell stories particular to each viewer's life experiences, beliefs, and context.”

Find My Paintings...

Zee Tai Collective - 918 Water St. Port Townsend, WA. - An Artist in Residency space in downtown Port Townsend, WA. I have a large, rotating selection of framed and unframed paintings available. Also prints, cards, etc. Contact me and I will be happy to schedule a time to meet you there. (360) 390-5060

Bazaar Girls Yarn Shop Port Townsend, WA - A Crafting Community, crafting community. I have a selection of 30+ paintings to see and purchase on the first floor in a small meeting room. Open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, 647 Washington St., Port Townsend, WA 98368. Contact me and I will be happy to schedule a time to meet you there. (360) 390-5060

Contact me to purchase directly from my studio inventory in Port Townsend, WA. (360) 390-5060

Face Guts Los Angeles, CA. Tim Biskup's Gallery and Project Space. My brother Tim has a selection of my original paintings for sale... Contact him via Face Guts and visit him while you're in L.A!

Fig Trees LA : I have a rotating selection of paintings available to view and/or purchase. Purchase via this website and pick up in the shop. Location - 5505 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042. Hours - Open Daily 10am-10pm (323) 274-4203

Saatchi Art: Online Art Gallery.

Currently not for sale via the Saatchi site - Contact me directly if you want to know if something pictured there is still available.

Singulart: Online Art Gallery based in Paris. Contact me directly if you see something here... Thanks!

Selected Events, Exhibitions, Performances, and Publications:

• 2024 - Sept/Oct Artist Residency at Zee Tai Collective. 918 Water St. Port Townsend, WA. I'll have work for sale hanging there going forward as well.

• 2024 - Rotating exhibition of mostly new work at Bazarre Girls Yarn Shop. 647 Washigton St. Port Townsend, WA.

• 2024 - Fresh Paint Festival - Schack Art Center, Everett WA.

• 2024 - Grand Opening of Fig Trees LA, 2/10/2024. Highland Park CA. View a rotating selection of my original paintings. Purchase on this site and pick up at the shop in LA. Ongoing.

• 2023 - The Green Way Sunshine Sunday Social Club - Celebrating Nature and Spirit. Live Music, Art for Sale, Studio Tours, Fire, Dancing, Etc. Presented and hosted by The Gilders of The Green Way. The Gilders are currently comprised of myself, Isaac Jasinski and David Challman. Now defunct! Something better is coming...

• 2023 - The Water Street Sessions with The Gilders of The Green Way. Live Music, Live Painting, Live Action, Etc... Most Sunny Saturdays after 3pm in Downtown Port Townsend, Find us!

• 2023 - The Port Townsend Farmer's Market. Saturdays from 9-2pm, April - December. I will have a selection of original paintings, cards and prints for sale. Come by and chat!

• 2023 - A three year exhibition at The US Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo. Art In Embassies - U.S. Department of State Website - See photos of the Exhibition Book on my home page...

Featuring the work of:
Dale Chihuly
Kathleen Faulkner
Mike Biskup
and
William Daniels

• 2022 - Nov 12th - Open Studio. Strait From The Artists Studio Tour - More info...

• 2022 - Mike Biskup's Elevator of Everything. Rotating Art, Music, etc 630 Water St in Downtown Port Townsend. Saturdays 11-5pm Or later when the weather is lovely. Drop in and say hi any Saturday. I'm also open many Fridays and Sundays.

• 2022 - "Musings On The Green Way - An Act" 1st and 3rd Sundays 1pm - At The Elevator of Everything. 630 Water St, Port Townsend, WA.

• 2022 - Open Studio at The Green Way. Contact me for an invitation, directions etc.

• 2021 - Musings on The Green Way, 1st and 3rd Sundays at Mike Biskup's Elevator of Everything, 630 Water St in Downtown Port Townsend.

• 2020 - On Street, Outdoor, Summer Exhibit in Downtown Port Townsend, WA.

• 2019 - (It’s) This Way to That Way, Solo Exhibition at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, Bainbridge

• 2019 - The Other Art Fair Brooklyn, April

• 2019 - The Other Art Fair Los Angeles, March

• 2018 - Connected, Solo Exhibition at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA)

• 2018 - Fort Wonder Solo Exhibition - Taps, Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA

• 2018 - The Watercolour Ideas Book - pg. 64 Ilex Press.

• 2018 - The Other Art Fair Lost Angeles presented by SaatchiArt.

• 2018 - Bellevue Art Museum - Art Fair

• 2017 - Thanks For Sharing, The Art of Instant Global Inspiration. 19 Artists from 10 countries curated by myself. Port Townsend, WA

• 2017 - Translucence Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. Bainbridge Island, WA. July.

• 2017 - Professional Artist Magazine, Featured June/July Issue

• 2016 - A Group Thing, Juried Group Exhibition at Thomas Young Gallery in Boston, MA.

• 2016 - Windfalls Solo Exhibition at Flatcolor Gallery, Seattle

• 2016 - Featured Artist at Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend, WA

• 2016 - Featured Artist in Amadeus Magazine Issue #08 - http://amadeusmag.com

• 2015 - Big Butter, A Step Felt In Full with Tim Biskup at Slow Culture Gallery, Los Angeles.

• 2015 - Artist in Residence, The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs, CA (February)

• 2014 - Site Specific 4’ X 36’ Mural, Better Living Through Coffee, Port Townsend, WA.

• 2012 - Site Specific Performance, Big Butter, Martha Otero Gallery. Los Angeles, CA.

• 2009 - Playground with Woody Dennis, Lee Katzenbach, Jesse Joshua Watson, and Jason Gould. Northwinds art Center, Port Townsend, WA.

• 2007 - Port Townsend Film Festival Poster Artist

• 1986 - Present: Big Butter: The Experimental Music, Art, and Performance Duo of Mike and Tim Biskup.

Education:

1993 - BFA, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA