Michael Protiva has long been fascinated by the diverse natural beauty and myriad moods of land and sea. Michael came to know the ocean well—from monstrous waves on the high seas to San Francisco’s foggy calms—during a stint in the US Navy and years of living aboard a sailboat in Sausalito, California. For nearly 30 years he was a part of the Sausalito artist colony, painting in his studio loft on the waterfront.

In 2001 Michael decided to explore and paint his impressions of the southwest. Primarily painting on location he was profoundly inspired by a wondrous and vast landscape of drama, timeless beauty and remarkable expanse. A new world of color and light allowed him to express his feelings towards nature. His travels brought him to Santa Fe where he now resides.

Michael’s art is in many private and public collections including the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco where his painting The Golden Challenge commemorates the club’s 12-metre America’s Cup Challenge in Freemantle, Australia. He is represented nationally by galleries from Hawaii to Massachusetts.