Close-up of an abstract colorful mural with large green leaves and orange and teal shapes.

Michael
Cutlip

Michael Cutlip

Living and working in Hawaiʻi for over eight years, I am profoundly inspired by the abundant nature that surrounds me. Botanical forms emerge in my art as abstracted or semi-abstract shapes, blending vibrant colors, organic movement, and fluid forms that reflect the living world. Each piece is a visual synthesis of the natural beauty I experience daily.

An artist with a dedicated following in California, Hawaiʻi, and beyond, my work has been exhibited in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Vancouver, BC, and Europe. My art has been acquired by esteemed corporate collections, including Grand Hyatt SFO, Courtyard Marriott Manhattan, Fairmont Maui, Hilton Waikoloa, Westin Maui, Hyatt Waikīkī, Ka Laʻi Hotel, Fairmont Orchid Resort Hawaiʻi Island, Four Seasons Maui, Sutter Health, Bloomingdale’s, Kaiser Permanente, and the David & Lucile Packard Foundation. It is also part of the Triton Museum of Art's collection and graces the private collection of singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, in 2017 my family and I made the transformative move from the urban vibrancy of the Bay Area to the lush landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island. This shift reshaped my life—and my art. In the city, my work reflected urban grit: graffiti, torn street posters, and the relentless energy of a fast-paced environment. But in Hawaiʻi, surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty, my artistic voice evolved. I believe an artist's truest expression is a reflection of their surroundings.

Life is not constant, and neither is art. My work is a testament to the ever-changing rhythms of life, shaped by where I’ve been and where I am now. I currently reside in Holualoa, Hawaiʻi, with my wife and two children, continuing to explore and evolve through the canvas.

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