Artist Statement
Mike Shatilla
My paintings are shaped by the people, places, and experiences that have influenced how I see the world. Through oil painting, I explore rural landscapes, weathered barns, forests, rivers, and open spaces, seeking the essence of each scene rather than its exact likeness. Working from observation and my own photographic references, I simplify light, atmosphere, and design to reveal what is essential. Each painting is an invitation to slow down, be present, and reconnect with the quiet beauty that surrounds us, preserving the moments that often pass unnoticed, yet stay with us the longest.
Artist CV
Mike Shatilla
Visual Artist | Canada
mike@paintingsbymike.ca | @paintings_by_mikeshatilla
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EDUCATION
Diploma, Graphic Design
George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology — Toronto, Canada
Lakescape Oil Painting: Plein-Air Techniques (8-week course)
Domestika — Online Course
Oil Painting: Expressive Brush Strokes (4-week course)
Oakville Art Society — Instructor: Peter Cheung
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JURIED / GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Paint Ontario 2026 Juried Art Show
Painfully Cold
Grand Bend Arts Centre, Grand Bend, Ontario — 2026
FASM 2025 Juried Art Show
Peggie’s Light
Holcim Gallery, FirstOntario Arts Centre, Milton, Ontario — 2025
Heart to Hand Exhibition 2025
Whispers of Wolfville
Holcim Gallery, FirstOntario Arts Centre, Milton, Ontario — 2025
Celebrate the Seasons 2025
Beyond the Boardwalk
Holcim Gallery, FirstOntario Arts Centre, Milton, Ontario — 2025
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visual Artist — Canada | Present
Freelance Graphic Designer & Creative Director
First Floor Media + Design | Present
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AFFILIATIONS
• Member, Fine Arts Society of Milton (FASM)
• Member, Oakville Arts Society (OAS)