Mike Mahon had his artistic beginnings in the
mountains of Northern New Mexico, with his Southwest
flair developing as an honest outworking of his family’s
roots. His grandfather moved to Taos, New Mexico, in
1913 to be the town’s only pharmacist, living for
several years next door to Kit Carson’s residence, and
sometimes receiving paintings by early Taos Artists as
payment.
Having been the art director of both an advertising
agency and a commercial printing company, Mike operated
his own successful commercial art, photo, and film
animation studio for 28 years before establishing his
full-time fine art career. He has studied under several
internationally recognized artists: Clarence Kincaid,
Ben Konis, Kim English, Judi Betts, John Budicin, and
Albert Handell.
Mike’s style is impressionistic realism, with his
paintings varying from landscapes to stately and
detailed portraits. Ordinary people and places are
suddenly transformed when he focuses on the heart and
soul of his subjects. As an art critic stated recently,
“Mike Mahon is an artist with a clear command of both
the oil and pastel media…(his) works reveal an ability
to single out simple, unassuming details for special
emphasis, elevating the imagery into radiant, dream-like
originality.”
Winner of many art awards and honors, Mike has most
recently been featured with other artists from around
the world in the book, 100 Ways to Paint Portraits and
Figures, published by the International Artist Magazine,
and available from North Light Books.
