Michael McCarthy

San Diego-born artist Michael now calls Northland home, drawn by Aotearoa’s evocative landscapes that inspire his poetic oil paintings. A self-taught tonalist, Michael seeks to capture mood and atmosphere—what he calls “visual poetry”—in every work.

Beginning with native timber panels like kauri and rimu, he builds depth through layered oils, from sienna foundations to delicate glazed highlights. With a background in graphic arts, illustration, and commercial design—including work for the San Diego Zoo and Starbucks—Michael brings a refined, emotive sensibility to his timeless New Zealand landscapes.