Interview

Sep 30

Michael Zirbes

Michael moved from North Dakota to Montana before finally settling in Minnesota as a young child. His passion for drawing, painting, and creating art has been a constant throughout his life. After graduating from The School of Associated Arts (which later became the College of Visual Arts) in St. Paul, Minnesota, he built a career as an Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director. He now dedicates himself to art full-time. Primarily working in oils, watercolor, and stained glass, Michael has also explored bronze casting. His painting style is influenced by Impressionism, Plein Air, and Fantasy Art, with a focus on capturing beauty, light, and movement. His inspirations include New Hope and California impressionists, as well as artists like Daniel Varner, George Sotter, Claude Monet, Frederic Remington, NC Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Salvador Dali, and many contemporary emerging artists he follows online. When working with stained glass, Michael approaches the process more conceptually, designing with attention to color, shape, and light to create a cohesive final piece. He appreciates the unique qualities of glass as a medium, noting how the colors and light within a window shift throughout the day and across seasons.

Michael enjoys taking workshops to improve his skills and keep inspired. His work is in many private collections. His work was accepted into the American Impressionist Society's 5th Annual Associate Member Online Exhibition in 2025. Michael has been awarded Best Narrative NOAPS Associate Online Exhibition in 2025 and the Best In Show for the Open Class Plein Air Grand Marais in 2023.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“Moving from North Dakota to Montana, then settling in Minnesota as a young child, I have always loved drawing, painting and creating art. After graduating from The School of Associated Arts (later known as College of Visual Arts) in St. Paul Minnesota, I worked as an Illustrator, Designer, Art Director, and am now pursuing my art full-time. Working mostly in oils, water color, stained glass, I have also done some bronze casting. In painting, I am drawn to Impressionism, Plein Air painting and Fantasy Art always trying to capture beauty, light and motion.”

What inspires you?

“Nature is by far the most inspiring for me and also looking at beautiful art. Some of my influences include: the New Hope and California impressionists, Daniel Varner, George Sotter, Claude Monet, Frederic Remington, NC Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Salvador Dali, and following many new emerging artists online.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I have been doing mostly landscapes lately and also some portraits. I love surrealism but haven't done much of that for some time. I am trying to show beauty light and motion.”

How would you describe your work?

“Impressionistic.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Artists like Daniel Varner, George Sotter, Claude Monet, Frederic Remington, NC Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Salvador Dali, and I am following many new emerging artists online.”

What is your creative process like?

“My Plein air work is started of course outdoors and then usually finished up in the studio. I do mostly studio work and incorporate a mix of photos I have taken. I will pull them into Photoshop and distort and build what I want the image to look like. I start out usually with very thin paint and do a lot of glazing and then using thicker paint in the end for certain areas.”