Micah Ofstedahl


Specialties: Surreal Style, Commissions, Acrylic Paintings

 

Born in 1982, in Austin, Minnesota, Micah's early memories of connecting with the creative process began at an early age. From asking his parents for the White-Out when he went outside the lines in his coloring books to later finding inspiration from M.C. Escher and Salvador Dali.

Micah took as many art classes as he could in high school and would go on to win the Artist of the Year award as a senior, which propelled him to pursue a BFA at Minnesota State University, Mankato. There, Micah focused on sculpture and ceramics which would later inform his clean, organic, surreal work in acrylic.

A fascination with anatomy and other biological forms, including the stylized 19th century illustrations of Ernst Haeckel, spurred the biological surrealism Micah delved into for a decade. The Oregon-based artist took a turn recently into "altered realism", where his hyper-realistic landscapes are distorted by otherwise invisible forms and patterns.
 

Next Exhibitions:

- Outre Gallery in Melbourne, Australia [Sep 6 - 29]
- Miami Art Week with Arch Enemy Arts [Dec 4 - 8]
- Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas [Nov 6 - Feb 4]
       

    Follow @MicahOfstedahl on Instagram

     

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    (and some not-so FAQ, but important nevertheless)

     

    Q: What are you influenced or inspired by?

    A: For more information on this I would suggest going to the “More” page of my website where you will find a short bio and links to interviews and other press at the bottom of the page. But in a nutshell - nature and mystery. Initially I was taking inspiration from the images of Grey’s Anatomy, and soon after I branched off into other biological forms such as radiolarians and other marine life, microscopy, fungi, insects, patterns in nature such as a networking or branching pattern, and any other strange, intriguing form of nature. The 19th century illustrations from Ernst Haeckel have been a great source. There is endless inspiration out there! More recently I have been using realistic landscapes (from places I’ve been and photos I have taken) as the foundation of my work with “clear” distortions added to the landscape. The patterns and subject matter for these are often inspired by the same things as my older work (biological forms and patterns in nature and science) but I have also developed my own designs “out of the ether” you could say, sketching things out until something works.

    Q: How did you develop your style with the clear distortions?

    A: In short, in 2019 I was working on a painting (now titled Fruitless Invitation) in which I had a sketch of some pitcher plants with some vines and flowers without much of an idea for a background. At some point I decided to use a landscape photograph as a reference for the background and ended up painting it fairly realistically, a departure from what I was doing up until that point. During the painting process I decided to paint the pitcher plants as if they were clear. This essentially opened up this new style for me. For the following painting, I once again used a photo for the background reference and a pattern from a diatom for the distorted parts. Ever since I have continued this process using natural forms and patterns as my inspiration as well as creating my own designs.

    Q: What do the clear distortions represent?

    A: First of all, let me establish that I prefer to leave them open to interpretation. I want you to connect with the work in whatever way you do. That, after all, is the experience of art - for the viewer to be inspired, discover, make connections, feel emotions, see things in a different light, and allow the mind to wander. If I tell you what it is supposed to mean or represent, then much, or all of that potential can be lost, and the experience is largely over. It greatly limits the art. In fact, in most cases I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. I like to leave them open to interpretation for myself as well. I feel like I am just as much of a viewer of my work as you are. They can also represent different things at different times or all at once. That said, there are concepts I think about and common threads in my work. Much like my earlier style (the surreal biological landscapes) I find that my “altered realism” paintings also represent our observable reality juxtaposed with the imperceptible mysteries. That could be something spiritual, other realms or dimensions, or untapped knowledge in science. I also often think about time and place. The “invisible” pathways in my paintings could represent one’s past and/or future path through life, and not only their path, but the effects they leave behind on others and on this world which continue to branch out (ie: the butterfly effect).

    Q: Are you open to doing commissioned work?

    A: Yes. I’d love to hear what you have in mind! Please check my Originals page to see prices at various sizes. Pricing for commissioned work will be similar, plus approximately 10%, depending on the nature of the commission. Please email friends@omniart.shop to discuss the details.

    Q: Can you make larger prints than what is available on your Prints page?

    A: Usually, yes! Email friends@omniart.shop to discuss the details.

    Q: How long will it take to receive any signed prints and/or originals ordered?

    A: Domestic (US) orders for signed prints and originals will generally ship out the same or next business day, so they should arrive within a week of placing the order.

    Q: Can you ship my canvas print not stretched but rather rolled in a tube?

    A: Yes! Please email friends@omniart.shop. This is especially useful if you are outside the US. It will save you on shipping costs and probably in customs fees, if there are any.

    Q: Do you ever use airbrush or digital media?

    A: No, all my work is hand-painted with acrylics and brushes.

    Q: Are you influenced by Salvador Dali?

    A: Somewhat. His work had its most profound impact on me when I was in high school. His ability to create a dreamy, surreal landscape stuck with me, but I don’t often look at his work or draw direct inspiration from his work.

     

    Past shows:

     

    2024

    Devotions, solo show, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    2023

    Hi-Fructose Invitational, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    Realism/Altered Reality, group show, Gallery 23 | New York, NY

    Uninvisible, solo show, Ryan Joseph Gallery | Denver, CO

    Oregon Country Fair | Veneta, OR

    MAPS convention with Phaneros Art | Denver, CO

    Surreal Salon 15, Baton Rouge Gallery | Baton Rouge, LA *Best in Show

    2022

    Atomic #13, Vertical Gallery | Chicago, IL

    Manscaping, The Hole | NYC/Los Angeles

    Oregon Country Fair | Veneta, OR

    The Space Between, Featured artist, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    Otherworldly, Solo show, Liberty Arts Gallery | Yreka, CA

    2021

    Signs of Life, Solo show, Ryan Joseph Gallery | Denver, CO

    Beyond Tides, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    16th Anniversary show, The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    Afterglow, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    2020

    Spectrum, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    Open Call Showcase, Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA

    2019    

    Mile High Magic, Threyda Gallery | Denver, CO

    Oregon Country Fair | Veneta, OR     

    Tiny Visions, The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA 

    Progress 2019, Marrow Collective Pop-up show | Medford, OR

    Underwater, Walton art House | Ashland, OR

    14th Anniversary Show, The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    Art Nagoya, Art Fair | Nagoya, Japan

    2018    

    Walton Art House | Ashland, OR

    Emerging, Ryan Joseph Gallery | San Francisco, CA

    DesignerCon, Anaheim Convention Center | Anaheim, CA

    The Corridor Gallery, Umpqua Valley Arts Assn | Roseburg, OR

    Oregon Country Fair | Venita, OR

    Tiny Visions, The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    Exploring Psychedelics Conference | Ashland, OR    

    13th Anniversary show The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    Ashland Art Center | Ashland, OR

    Tarot 9 The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    2017    

    Featured artist at The Hive Gallery | Los Angeles, CA

    Two-person show at Rogue Gallery and Art Center | Medford, OR

    Oregon Country Fair  | Venita, OR    

    Holy Apostles Gallery | Manhattan, NY

    2016    

    Strange Paradise Axis Pioneer Square | Seattle, WA

    Disjecta Gallery Portland Biennial | Portland, OR

    Oregon Country Fair | Venita, OR

    Austin Artworks Festival | Austin, MN

    2015    

    Chalk Farm Gallery | Santa Fe, NM

    Oregon Country Fair | Venita, OR

    Art in the Pearl | Portland, OR

    Firehouse Gallery | Grants Pass, OR


    Press: