Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Vahl
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Michael Vahl. I’ve been drawing freehand since the age of three. My painting career on canvas began when I moved to Tampa, Florida. I came here on a whim. I used to pass the time by sitting at my local Starbucks and drawing. A News anchor by the name of Charles Billi @Fox 13 walked in and saw me working on my current project. He asked me if he could Comission a Portrait Which was his college graduate photo. I told him yes, even though I had no painting experience lol. So I sat for the next month or so each night training myself How to paint in the dry Brush art form. It’s very similar to drawing with charcoal or a pencil, but instead Use very little pigment on the bristles of the brush and apply pressure to create more saturation in the different areas of the Portrait. Eventually, I confident enough to paint Charles portrait when I delivered it to him he was absolutely stunned. He loved it. He shared my work on Facebook and I fell in love with the dry brush art form so I kept painting and painting each day as much as I could for the next 10 years to present day as well as training myself on how to paint murals.
Eventually Over the years, my work caught the eyes of NFL star Christian McCaffrey, MLB star Marcus Stroman, Lamborghini, etc..
A number of famous celebrities and rap artists.
Most recently I was contacted by Lamborghini Sarasota to represent them in a company wide contest. Each Lamborghini dealership in the world had to choose an artist to represent them.. When I Was chosen and commissioned by Lamborghini Sarasota I was absolutely floored and in shock. Lamborghini corporate in Italy then went onto to choose 20 artists to showcase their artwork during art Basel of 2023. I was one of those artist the paintings made their way to Miami then after Basil made their way to the Lamborghini lounge in New York City And are now permanently housed in Lamborghini Italy headquarters.
Aside from my successes I feel very strongly about giving back to my community specially, those in need. one of my heavy beliefs is that if you have a talent, And have an outlet and opportunities you cannot be selfish and you have to use your talent to help those in need. For the past three years, I’ve donated numerous artworks to charities one I’m very fond of is the Childrens Cancer Center. Each year they host an event at armature Works in Tampa, Florida, where they raise close to $1 million That night during their event. It’s titled Wine, Women & Shoes. Last year. The painting I donated raised $18,000 for the organization the year prior $14,500
This year in October October, we hope to raise even more..
I strive to help as many people as I can as well as other artists trying to get their work out to the city. I curate many shows in collaboration with Hotel haya And Another Vintage Expo. Where we throw a clothing market / art show, giving Artists an opportunity to showcase there art work who are just starting their art career or need that extra push to get out there.
My current project includes creating paintings for JAY-Z‘s Roc nation headquarters in New York City..
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hardest time I had as an artist were the first four years of my career. I had talent, but I needed to show the world what I had to offer often times in order to network and market my art meant having to do a lot of free stuff in the beginning many times. The saying “starving artist “ Is a real thing and I starved. There were times I had no money to pay my bills or eat for a couple days at a time. One thing I never did was give up. I believed in myself and kept pushing. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s in that very moment you feel like dropping everything and giving up is when that big break is right around the corner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a portrait artist. I specialize in high detail portraits on canvas and the art form of dry brushing. I’m known for creating realistic portraits. What I most proud of is being able to teach myself with no formal training to the level of detail I’ve achieved in the past 10 years. The look on my clients faces when I reveal their painting to them is a special moment and I’m proud of that.
I believe what sets me apart is the dry brushing itself. I’m the only artist in my city that has that unique, black and white pencil/charcoal look to their portraits. I recently started adding Some smiles on the portraits. It’s almost a calling card for my work now but continuing to evolve my work Is always a Work in progress.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Get out there as much as you can. continue to work on your craft. I’ve always told those who asked me how I’ve gotten better over the years.. sit down and really try to push yourself past your limit. Try not to stay stagnant in your art form if you really want it, you’ll find a way.
What are my biggest flaws was not utilizing social media enough true artist don’t stare at their phone all day we lose ourselves in our work, sometimes don’t look up from the canvas for hours at a time if I could give one piece of advice to someone starting out is to try and create a balance between learning how to utilize social media as soon as possible in your career while still being Fixated on your work. Unfortunately, social media is King now and I’m starting to learn that. Word-of-mouth has done me right, but I’m extremely lucky to have Had an open mind And accepting that in order to reach a broader audience, I will need to implement social media into my career just as much as my time on the canvas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.artbyvahl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyvahl/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3hmLQntBZ1NqviwQlXbnXg
Image Credits
@_lauren_middleton_
@khumar07
@therealarmandog
@stjohnromero
