TERROIR
/ter-WAHR/
A Sense of Place In Watercolor
/ter-WAHR/
A Sense of Place In Watercolor
Michael Burpoe Watercolors — Gallery Exhibit at Tupper Arts
Born and raised in Saranac Lake, NY, Michael Burpoe is a watercolor artist who enjoys creating plein air and Adirondack lifestyle paintings. He signs his work with his middle name, Czerny, as a nod to the original spelling of his grandfather’s name which was changed when he immigrated to this country from Poland.
Michael studied Graphic Design at the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences in the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017.
He began watercolor painting in 2020 as a form of escapism from the stress and loneliness of living alone during the pandemic. He found the welcome distraction of painting was a wonderful way to shut off his brain and continued the practice even after quarantine had ended. He now brings his watercolors with him as he travels; from the misty canals of Amsterdam, to the crowded cityscapes of Buenos Aires, and the idyllic wandering roads of Kyoto. Painting is something that accompanies Michael everywhere and embeds those experiences with the distinct terroir of the world.
Most of all, his favorite thing to paint is the culture of the Adirondacks. He collaborates with local groups and events, like the Lawn Chair Ladies, Ice Palace Workers (IPW-101), and Northern Current Outdoor Music Festival to create annual illustrations which help raise money or awareness for their traditions.
In January of 2025, Michael joined the Saranac Lake-based Adirondack Artists Guild, where he maintains an installation of his work.
LIVE Virtual Walkthrough — Instagram
Michael held a LIVE virtual walkthrough on Instagram of the Terroir show and explained the stories and intricate details included in each painting. The recording is available as a VOD on his Instagram HERE.
