Michael Burpoe at Bog River Falls in Piercefield. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Artists Guild recently announced the addition of local watercolor artist Michael Burpoe to its collective. Beginning this month, Burpoe will join the 15-member Guild, bringing an energetic new perspective to the local arts community.

A Saranac Lake native, Burpoe is deeply embedded in the culture and lifestyle of the Adirondacks, which he strives to depict in his watercolor paintings. His work frequently reflects the events, people and traditions that define the region, which have blossomed into a series of recurring illustrations for some of the local groups. These illustrations help raise money to keep traditions alive, including for the iconic Lawn Chair Ladies of the Winter Carnival parade, annual stickers for the IPW-101 workers who build the Ice Palace each year and most recently for the Northern Current Music Festival where he auctioned an original illustration of the event to help raise funds for future years’ years’ festivals.

Burpoe’s journey into watercolor painting began during the pandemic, offering him a creative outlet to navigate the loneliness of quarantine. Highlights of his artistic achievements include winning the People’s Choice Award at the Guild’s 24th Annual Juried Show in 2022 and hosting his first solo show as the Guild’s Featured Artist in February 2023.

A graduate of RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Burpoe’s commitment to his craft and community goes hand in hand. Inspired by the likes of Garry Trudeau and John “Doc” Ward, he strives to boost Saranac Lake’s vibrant cultural expressions with his art, most recently with a limited run of prints of an illustration he created depicting the mass of people who attend Party On the Patio at the Waterhole. His paintings also allow him to bring stories of his travels back to his hometown in the form of plein air illustrations that he creates abroad, most recently to Argentina and Japan.

Joining the Adirondack Artists Guild marks a new chapter for Burpoe, as he continues to illustrate the heart and soul of the Adirondacks through his art.

“I’m honored to be part of such a talented and diverse group of artists,” said Burpoe. “I’ve wanted to join the Guild since I was in 3rd grade when I would watch my elementary art teacher, Val Patterson, work on her own watercolor illustrations in her free time between lessons. Art isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. I’m excited to help tell the story of the Adirondacks and the people who help make it such a special place.”

The Adirondack Artists Guild invites the community to stop by and welcome Burpoe this month at their gallery in downtown Saranac Lake.

To view a full portfolio of Michael’s work visit burpski.myportfolio.com.