Mike Orias grew up in Silverton Oregon and started in the construction trades and went to night school to get his first welding certification. He now has five or six. Mike has welded in such diverse areas as in a train car manufacturing facility, the shipyard in Portland and on Columbia river barges. Orias is currently spending his time between creating his characters in metal and as a welding teacher in a correctional facility.

Orias uses his musical appreciation to create instrumentalists who express their love of jazz or rock through use of curved and wavy lines, movement and variuos textures. Barking dogs are reduced to their elemental forms as straight lines, and contemplative figures are made with gentle curves.

Mike, who enjoys walking the beach and music from the 50's, is well grounded and a bit whimsical, not an artist in an ivory tower because when asked, he says ... "I just make stuff."

You can see Orias' work in libraries, hospitals and colleges as well as Haystack Gallery.

All artwork © Mike Orias