Biography


“I’m attracted to people – all people of all colors and backgrounds.”

    Born and raised in Hammond Indiana, Mike Desatnick, after a decorated tour in Viet Nam, began his art career completing his education at the American Academy of Art, Chicago, Illinois. He was invited to join the faculty at the American Academy where he was an award-winning instructor for six years. His paintings of Native Americans show great sensitivity and empathy with his subjects. The bold colors, beautiful play of light and authentic native costumes are enhanced by the realistic expressions of the people he paints. Based out of his home/studio in a picturesque setting in Colorado, Mike also enjoys painting other subjects including still lifes, market scenes, interiors and the various people and cultures of his travel experiences. He is an artist who interprets what he sees and shares his emotions on canvas.



EDUCATION

  • American Academy of Art, Chicago, Illinois (1967-1970)
  • Advanced Study with Noted Artists:
    • Bettina Steinke
    • Richard Schmid
    • Howard Terpning

BACKGROUND:

  • Hallmark, Kansas City, Missouri. Illustrator (1970-1972)
  • American Academy of Art, Chicago, Illinois. Instructor (1972-1978)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Southwest Art (August 1978) featured article
  • American Artist (June 1982) Peking, China Exhibition
  • Art West (January/February 1983) People of the Century Collection, Noel Goldblatt
  • Contemporary Western Artists Southwest Art Publishing
  • Artists of the Rockies and Golden West (Sprink 1982) Peking, China Exhibition
  • Western Art Digest (September/October 1985) cover artist and feature article
  • American Express Collector's Edition (1988)
  • Art of the West (September/October 1992) feature article
  • Southwest Art (April 1995) cover artist and feature article
  • Western Traditions (2005) Fesco Fine Art Publications

SHOWS

  • Northern Indiana Hoosier Salon
  • Allied Artists, New York, New York
  • Peking, China Exhibition
  • Artists of American, Denver, Colorado
  • Western Heritage Sale, Houston, Texas
  • Creative Crafts KTVY, TV. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Progam Title: "Form and Mass in Painting"
  • 15th Annual Western Rendezvous, Holter Museum, Helena, Montana
  • Mt. Oyster Club Show, Tucson, Arizona
  • Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show and Sale, Loveland, Colorado
  • Twenty-Eight C.M. Russell Art Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana
  • Oil Painters of America 6th National Juried Exhibition, Taos, New Mexico
  • Oil Painters of America, Mountain Regional Show, Kimball Art Center, Park City, Utah
  • Realism and Contemporary Art of the American West, University of Wyoming Art Museum
  • Masters of the American West, The Autry National Center, Los Angeles, California

HONORS

  • John F. and Anne Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund - Finalist (1975 and 1977)
  • Northern Indiana Hoosier Salon. First in figure and portrait
  • Peking, China Exhibition. Poster Artist
  • Juror-Wichita Art Assoc. 9th Annual National Small Painting Exhibition
  • Juror-Night Walker '96 Annual National Juried Art Exhibition, Fort Collins, Colorado
  • Juror-Wichita Center of the Arts 1996 Biennial National Small Oil Painting Exhibition, Wichita, Kansas
  • Oil Painters of America Signature Member (OPA)
  • A Selection Juror for the 2011 OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition
  • Painting selected for the U.S. Department of State Art and Embassy Program