Michael Kratochwill, MFA
Like many artist, I would often struggle with what to paint. Growing up on a farm in Grant County Wisconsin, it was normal for me to paint what I knew and so most of my work dealt with observations of seasonal landscapes, landmarks and rural architecture. Being an art teacher and a father of three, my earlier years were usually limited to painting in the summer. Each summer I would focus on a new theme and as I traveled my themes changed with new experiences.
I exhibited and sold works through art fairs and then eventually galleries. My works have received many awards throughout the years and are included in private and public collections and museums. Observers could identify the location of both architectural styles or landscapes. They would often inform me that many of my subjects no longer existed or were altered through developments. As time went on I obviously took on new subjects and commissions, some very inspiring and motivating and others were client oriented.
Today much of my painting subject goes back to what I know and with some urgency. Climate change has become a concern and educating the public is a responsibility for all of us. My work is a personal expression or interpretation of what I observe. I am recognized as a colorist and I use color to heighten the viewers awareness. Close ups and stylistic approaches are used to expose the viewers to detailed ecosystems with no “hierarchy” where in my opinion “everything matters”. These small treasures that are around all of us should be protected. We should not narrow our perspectives to just protecting the environment in major designated locations but instead to all natural environments. My paintings have a duality with somewhat obscure symbolism as well as beauty. The title of some paintings have personal meanings beyond the visual.
EDUCATION
MFA in Painting 1989
University of Wisconsin - Madison
MA in Art 1989
University of Wisconsin - Madison
BS in Art Education 1975
University of Wisconsin - Madison
EXPERIENCES
2005-Current Part Time Art Instructor - College Transfer Art
Madison College (MATC) - Madison, WI
Teaching: Drawing Fundamentals
Basic 2-D Design
Watercolor I & II
1988-1989 Teaching Assistant - University of Wisconsin Madison
1975-2012 K-12 Art Teacher - Fall River School, Wisconsin Dells
AWARDS
2016 Merchandise Award - Wisconsin Watercolor - Wustum Museum Racine
1991 Signature Membership: Wisconsin Watercolor Society
1991 Purchase Award: Wisconsin Arts Board Percent For Art
1988 Teaching Assistant University Wisconsin-Madison 1988-89
1985 Wisconsin Watercolor “85” First Place - Wustum Museum Racine
1985 Midwest Watercolor Society - Award of Excellence - Tweed Museum
1980 Purchase Award: Bergstrom Gallery - Neenah, WI
1980 Purchase Award: J.M. Kohler Gallery - Sheboygan, WI
1980 Purchase Award: Paine Art Museum Permanent Collection - Oshkosh, WI
1980 Third Watercolor: Spring Green Art Show
1979 Best of Show: Freeport Illinois Art Show
1979 Chamber of Commerce Award: Elm Hurst, IL
1979 First in Watercolor: J.M. Kohler Art Show
1979 First in Watercolor: Spring Green Art Show
1978 Purchase Award: Bergstrom Art Center’s Permanent Collection
1978 Purchase Award: Appleton Gallery of Art
1978 Purchase Award: Art Fair On The Square - Madison, WI
1978 Second Best of Show: Galena Art Show - Galena, WI
1977 Purchase Award: Appleton Gallery of Art - Appleton, WI
1977 First Watercolor: Spring Green Art Show
MAJOR COLLECTIONS
• Kemper Insurance Group Collection - Chicago, IL
• Price Waterhouse
• Stroud and Waller
• Arthur Anderson - Chicago.IL
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Great Northern Corporation - Appleton, WI
• Menasha Corporation - Neenah, WI
• Plastics Engineering and Research Co. - Sheboygan, WI
• Baker Paper Co. - Oshkosh, WI
• Oscar Boldt and Company - Appleton, WI
• Bergstrom Art Museum - Neenah, WI
• Paine Art Museum - Oshkosh, WI
• Rural Insurance - Madison, WI
• Quarles & Brady LLS - Madison, WI
• Ernst & Whinney - Chicago, IL
• Gammex - Madison, WI
JURIED SHOWS
2022 Fine Lines & Design Gallery: Sister Bay, WI
2019 Wisconsin Watercolor: Wustum Museum - Racine, WI
2018 Wisconsin Watercolor: Wustum Museum - Racine, WI
2018 Northern National Art Competition - Rhinelander, WI
2016 Wisconsin Watercolor: Wustum Museum - Racine, WI
2016 MOWA Biennial: Museum Of Wisconsin Art - West Bend, WI
1996 Views of Wisconsin: Perine Gallery - Madison, WI
1993 Wisconsin Watercolor Society - West Bend Gallery of Fine Arts, WI
1991 Wisconsin Watercolor Society - RAHR WEST GALLERY - Manitowoc, WI
1990 Wisconsin “90” - Edna Carlston Gallery - Stevens Point, WI
1990 Wis. Painters/Sculptors Show - RAHR WEST GALLERY - Manitowoc, WI
1990 Wisconsin Watercolor: Wustum Museum - Racine, WI
1989 Wisconsin Biennial
1986 Cudahy Gallery - Milwaukee Art Center
1986 Madison National Watercolor Exhibit: Edgewood College Madison, WI
1985 Wisconsin Watercolor “85”: Wustum Museum - Racine, WI
1985 Midwest Watercolor Society - Tweed Museum - Duluth, MN
1981 American Watercolor Society - San Francisco, CA
EXHIBITIONS
2022 Fine Lines & Design Gallery: Sister Bay, WI
2014 GALLERY 211 Debut - MATC Art Faculty - Madison, WI
2009 MATC Art Faculty Exhibit: Truax Campus Gallery - Madison, WI
2011 “Divergence” Faculty Exhibit - Overture Center Gallery III - Madison, WI
2006 Rural Wisconsin Images - Seippel Homestead Gallery - Beaver Dam, WI
2005 MATC Art Faculty Exhibit: MATC Truax Campus - Madison, WI
2004 Exhibit Show - Seippel Homestead Gallery - Beaver Dam, WI
1999 Solo Exhibit - Zona Gale Center - Portage, WI
1995 Fieldstone Gallery - Baileys Harbor, WI
1989 Solo Exhibit Buffet Gallery - Milwaukee Art Museum - Milwaukee, WI
1989 MFA Show - University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI
1985 Exhibit Show - Ann Conner Gallery - Appleton, WI
1982 Exhibit Show - Ann Conner Gallery - Appleton, WI
1980 Two Man Exhibit - Tempo Gallery - Appleton, WI
1980 Solo Exhibit - Affiliated Bank - Madison, WI
1979 Solo Exhibit - Madison General Hospital - Madison, WI
1978 Six Man Invitational - Gallery Seven - Davenport, IA
1978 Solo Exhibit - Post Crescent of Appleton - Appleton, WI
COMMISSIONS
2006 MORGAN STANLEY - Orlando, FL
1991 WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT NATURAL RESOURCES - Park Falls, WI
1986 SHIELE GRAPHICS - Chicago, IL
1984 RURAL INSURANCE - Madison, WI