Mikko studied multimedia and fine art at the Northwest College of Art and Design with a focus on oil painting, as well as art history, business and philosophy at The Evergreen State College. For several years he recorded and performed music professionally while maintaining his passion for painting. While traveling in Europe he rediscovered traditional painting for himself spending days studying Sargent, Leighton, and Waterhouse paintings in the Tate Britain. Deeply moved by these historic works Mikko decided to return to his artistic training in a traditional manner. He relocated to Italy and studied classical drawing and painting at the Florence Academy of Art. Steeped in tradition, history and a community of burgeoning realists he began to develop his voice as a representational artist. Currently, Mikko lives, paints, and teaches in the Pacific Northwest, his works are in homes across the United States and Europe.
Curriculum vitae
◦ 00-03: Attended and graduated Bainbridge High School with awards in the Arts.
◦ 03-04: Toured locally and nationally, performing with band Holy Ghost Revival.
- emphasis on performance, album artwork design, web design, film production.
- Toured west coast of USA, toured 38 of 50 states, Canada and Mexico.
◦ 04-05: Studied at Northwest College of Art.
-emphasis on Fine Art and Multimedia
◦ 05-08 : Deferment of college, pursued music professionally.
- Tours: west coast (USA), western Europe, midwest (USA), England, England, western Europe.
- 07-08 relocation to London.
- Emphasis on performance, music business, recording engineering, web design, poster design, multimedia, film making, tour managing, philosophy of business DIY vs big business.
◦ 08-09 : Left band, pursued painting full time.
- Studied traditional painting methods and traditional “academic art” curriculum independently.
◦ 08-09 : Wrote and recorded a collaborative piano and cello EP with Serena Tideman.
- Piano composition
◦ 09-12 : Moved to Italy, started at the Florence Academy of Art.
- Studied classical drawing and painting
- Historic methods of paint preparation, grounds, sizes, varnishes, oils
- Art history
- Additional lectures on Art history at the Charles Cecil studio in Florence Italy.
◦ 12-13 : Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Underwent six months chemo therapy.
- Education switched emphasis to health and biology
- Anti cancer nutrition, alternative treatments and radical methods
Continued study
- Painting from life (portraiture and landscape plain air)
- Piano composition
◦ 13-18 Enrolled at The Evergreen State College.
- Independent studies in studio art ; drawing and painting
- Cultural studies
- Art History
- Business
◦ 13-18 : Independent studies in painting
- Still life
- Landscape
- Portraiture
- Historic painting methodology