About Mike McCollum

Mike was born in Hoquiam, Washington but claims he acquired many of his artistic sensibilities from the San Francisco Bay Area. While at UC Berkeley in the late 1960’s he apprenticed with Peter Voulkos assisting him with construction and installation of 3 major outdoor sculptures.

Mike is known for his personal style and competency across a diversity of mediums, from bronze casting and ceramic to drawing and printmaking. Currently he uses hardwood as inspiration for furniture and sculptures.

Mike has been exhibiting his work since early in his career with inclusion and awards in numerous national and international exhibitions including NYC, Canada and Italy. In 1980 he was awarded an individual fellowship grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.

Mike lives in Sequim, Washington where he spends everyday in his studio. Referring to his motivation to make art, “It keeps me off the street.”

Artist Statement

Abstract expressionism is one of my primary influences and I am enamored with the idea of “arriving at” as opposed to “aiming at.” I want to surprise myself. My job as an artist is to make decisions—what to leave in and what to take out. I see art as a process of reduction--getting rid of the chaff and striving for the essence of the idea.

In my career I have worked in many mediums--bronze, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and currently I have a fascination with wood. I start with a basic idea and then it’s a matter of rescuing that idea from all the contrived directions it may take me.

- Mike McCollum