Mike Hoffee was born in 1951 in Los Angeles California. Being a native of California reflects in his life style and art. The Beaches of Hermosa, Manhattan and Venice, the love inns, Hollywood, garage bands, concerts, a generation of new thinking, shaped the free spirit. Mike has taken a long adventurous road that led to his self-taught art. A devastating injury in 1997 changed the course of his life. While in his hospital bed his daughter gave him a gift of oil sticks and canvas paper. His motto became paint not pain. The dark years led to an extended stay in Napa Valley. Time stood still and the recovery of innocence began. Mike explored his inner creative needs and burst forth on the art scene with an energy that knew no guilt. Mike enjoys working in large abstracts and the dark years produced some of his liveliest paintings. Bazaar faces with genuine personalities stare out at the viewer. Color and wild movement explode on the canvas as he moved away from the dark, the figures became less defined, faceless, bunched together for comfort. They are androgynous forms seeking direction, their culture, ethnic backgrounds, and spiritual paths cannot be categorized. The mystical forms are familiar to us although their intent is unknown. Sometimes they can be seen walking toward the light drawing strength from a higher place and willingly the artist follows.


--Diane Hoffee … Read More