Ohio-based artist Mike Elsass is a nationally known local artist who puts his brush before his brain. He paints contemporary abstract of rusted sheets of steel, and his art is meditative and spiritual. The steel represents life’s elements, strength, imperfection, aging, and beauty. By sponging, painting, and sanding, the steel evolves until the final coating. Elsass’ spirit lies on the road. From his first series in Louisiana swamps, to Canada to Quebec and Gulf Coast winter, he draws his energy from life and nature. The Kentucky countryside and the Arizona desert blend his art. His new Front Street location in Dayton and his beautiful Ohio country barn loft and studios on Easy Avenue give him time to reflect and paint in solitude. Elsass hopes to find his Rothko-inspired pieces gracing mantles and walls in people’s homes, because for him, the greatest achievement is to know that his creative labor has connected in a very personal way with someone.
His canvas of rusted sheet metal is as unique as his method of painting. Elsass does not think too hard about where the paint drips, what he’s painting, or even the direction the final piece will hang. This allows him to immerse himself in a moment of color, texture and light. He is very good at what he does, not only as an artist but also as a manager of his career as an artist. He has an exhibit space at Front Street and a gallery in Centerville. Elsass is busy as ever working on commissions for local residents. He has finished two large-scale works for homes in Oakwood and Centerville.
