Portrait with Blue

About Portrait with Blue

This is a contemporary somewhat abstracted portrait of a male.

Mike Rachlis has often focused on re-imagining the traditional portrait in his painting career. And, if you take a closer look at his work you quickly recognize his singular approach to portraiture is anything but traditional. This portrait of a young man’s face is a fine example of his inspired application of paint-- gestural brushstrokes, a liberal use of layers of paint, and the vivid colour palette are wholly contemporary. Rachlis’s work often references his early days of creating graffiti art—markings in bold colours of red, yellow and turquoise. The deep blue backdrop acts as a bold contrast to the darker hues of the subject’s skin and hair.

“My painting practice aims to exist in a challenging place, between representation and abstraction, fragmenting and making reference to art history with equal parts admiration and disdain. Celebrating the universal duality that exists in all people and systems. Primarily painting the figure and portrait the subject matter of my paintings is equally important to the application and surface of the paint.” Mike Rachlis

“His paintings make tangible the organization of chaos, they are at once both loose and tight. His use of colour, brush work and marks are completely convincing. When you view a Mike Rachlis painting you are viewing the freedom and unbridled expression of a young maestro.” Elaine Fleck Gallery, Toronto

Mike Rachlis graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He has exhibited throughout Canada and the United States. His work is held in private collections around the world.