Mike Shatilla
Painter (Oil), Illustrator (Digital)
Artist Statement
As a freelance graphic designer, I’ve built my career crafting visually compelling designs for clients, navigating the intersection of creativity and commercial needs. My work is rooted in a deep understanding of visual communication, where every design decision is made with purpose and precision. However, outside of client work, I find the freedom to fully express myself through oil landscape paintings and digital portraits.
Oil painting allows me to immerse myself in the tactile process of creating, where I can explore the subtle nuances of light, color, and texture. The vast, open spaces of landscape painting offer me a chance to express a sense of peace and awe, while capturing the raw beauty of nature. In contrast, my digital portraits reflect my fascination with human expression and emotion, where I combine values studies with my artistic intuition to create vivid, intimate representations of individuals.
In both my professional and personal artwork, I seek to capture moments that resonate deeply—whether through the calculated design of a logo or the free-flowing brushstrokes of an oil painting. For me, art is a constant evolution, a balance of structure and freedom, and I strive to create work that invites viewers to reflect, connect, and engage with the world around them.
Artist Bio
Mike Shatilla is a freelance graphic designer and the owner of First Floor Media + Design, a business he has successfully run for 25 years. With a career built on creativity and precision, Mike has crafted visual identities and compelling designs for clients across various industries. His work blends strategic design principles with a keen sense of artistic expression, making him a trusted name in the design world.
Beyond his professional design work, Mike is passionate about exploring the world of fine art. He creates oil paintings on canvas, using rich textures and atmospheric color to capture the natural world in its many forms. His landscapes evoke a sense of peace and reflection, while his digital illustrations blend his graphic design skills with a love for visual storytelling, often exploring themes of human emotion and personal expression.
With a career that spans both commercial design and personal artistic exploration, Mike continues to push boundaries, whether he’s designing for clients or creating for the sheer joy of artistic expression. His work reflects a deep passion for creativity in all its forms, from the precision of design to the freedom of fine art.
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