Mitchell McClosky Wildlife Art
mitchell@mitchellmcclosky.com
mitchellmcclosky.com
509-499-1052

I was born in 1994 and raised in the eastern Washington countryside near the small town of Brewster. Having grown up with an adventurous family and within close proximity to the North Cascades, I quickly fell in love with the great outdoors.

My love for animals ignited at a young age thanks to my pet-loving family and neighbors with horses. Living in places where the wild yonder bordered my backyard has given me a unique perspective on life and appreciation for nature. My interest in climbing mountains, watching birds, stalking deer, greeting coyotes, bothering rattlesnakes, etc., helped define, more than I knew then, who I wanted to become.

In high school I took some art classes that sparked a new interest within. Seven years, a college degree, and a few short-lived occupations later, I found myself studying aviation technology at Walla Walla University aiming to become a commercial pilot. During my education I took a few art classes that re-ignited my artist at heart. I eventually decided to pursue my growing artistic passion with undivided attention in the summer of 2019.

When I graduated from Walla Walla University with a B.A. in Art in the spring of 2021, I took a trip to Yellowstone National Park to feed my hunger for adventure and wildlife photography. Being inspired by the breathtaking landscapes and the bountiful variety of wildlife, this trip marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

I bring to life the personalities in my subjects through my expressive brushwork and intimate compositions. I use oils, pastels, acrylics and graphite, using each to its own unique potential to best achieve my desired outcome ranging from photorealism to stylized illustrations.

Currently, I live in College Place, Washington, where I continue to develop my style in wildlife art and pet portraiture. Because of my great appreciation for life and love for the Creator of all things, I seek to share my appreciation of the natural world with my audience.