michaelcowlesart.com
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  • (2) - more recent works
  • (3) - more recent works
  • (4) - sold
  • (5) - SOLD
  • (6) - SOLD / CONTACT
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MICHAELCOWLESART.COM
****   WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE   ****
Newly updated for November 1, 2025
michaelcowlesart.com
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Artist Objective:
“ ART IS TIMELESS.  IT TRANSCENDS OUR IMAGINATION AND LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS "


       Born in Long Beach, California, in 1948, I graduated from Long Beach State University in 1974 with a BA degree in Art with additional art instruction at UCLA.  Shortly after graduation, I decided to move to the Northern California area and have lived and worked in the East Bay Hills since that time.  During my early years of study, I further developed an interest in all mediums of fine art which eventually introduced me to many of the early 20th century artists working here in the state of California.
     I have always been attracted to Early California Landscape Impressionism, Luminism & Tonalism, and the art from these eras has always been my greatest influence.  I have tried to reflect this in my current Plein Air subject matter and pallet, by directing my attention to those areas that have been, so far, unaffected by man’s manipulation and development of our very special and unique location.  I would have to classify myself as a romanticist.  
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     After moving to the Bay Area in 1974, I immediately began to notice how much of the environment has changed, and especially over the last few years.  Many of the areas which have been adversely affected are the wild habitats that have now been converted to shopping malls and tract homes. The remarkable diversity which all of these places once shared has now been destroyed, along with these unique environments which once prevailed there.
    Before all these habitats disappear forever from the unrelenting land developments, I have decided to devote the second half of my life by painting some of the natural beauty that California now enjoys, before it has been permanently changed.  Below is a small sample of my recent works.  Please... have a look around at the oil paintings and pastels that are on pages "Home", "One" and "Two" for a complete selection that are available by contacting my representatives.  Thank you...
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MY EXTRAORDINARY ESTABLISHMENTS WHO DISPLAY AND SELL MY PAINTINGS:
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                                                              Carmel Fine Art - Carmel, California
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST REPRESENTATIVE
CARMEL FINE ART
DOLORES NW OF 6TH
CARMEL BY THE SEA, CALIFORNIA 93921
​telephone - 831 624-8010
[email protected] - [email protected]
**** NOW ON FULL DISPLAY IN THE FRONT WINDOW OF THIS AMAZING GALLERY - THE VERY BEST IN CARMEL BY THE SEA ****
CARMEL FINE ART GALLERY - CARMEL BY THE SEA, CALIFORNIA
***  on the corner of Deloris St  & 6th in downtown Carmel  ***

07/01/2025 - - -  MANY NEW PAINTINGS HAVE JUST ARRIVED - COME ON IN AND MEET THE FRIENDLY & HELPFUL STAFF  ---  GOOD ART IS AN INVESTMENT ! ! ! 
*** see the art for yourself at michaelcowlesart.com ***
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10/15/2025 -- Over 30 new paintings - oil and pastel - have recently been accepted by the Carmel Fine Art Gallery in Carmel by the Sea. 
There is nothing better than art for investment value!  
 The gallery is truly spectacular and represents some of the finest artists of vintage & contemporary California art works.  I am very proud to be represented here.  Please come and visit... soon!  This is the new Seasonal Holiday window to entice the curious and the people who stopped by for a peek!    ** Robert Ecton & Michael Cowles - celebrating OVER 54 years together **
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Lorelei Gabel (Above) is the owner of Carmel Fine Art and a close friend - The gallery is conveniently 
​located just NW of 6th street in downtown Carmel by the Sea - just two blocks from Ocean Avenue.  I have the extraordinary privilege of being represented in the main show room along with many, many famous artists working in the area of California around the turn on the Century.  Come in and meet Lorelei.  She is most knowledgeable and helpful in assisting everyone who would like more information & perhaps invest in a fine, original work of art from the many paintings that are on display in the gallery.  History has shown over and over again that original art is a very wise investment - and a profitable one at that.  There have been many examples of a yearly price increase of over 200% each year from some paintings and these extraordinary works of art have continued to break all auction records.  Lorelei has specialized in her knowledge of art and where the market is headed in these times of uncertainty.  She will personally assist you with her focused attention in providing you with some amazing & helpful information and perhaps starting a portfolio of your own.  Come in to Carmel Fine Art and see for yourself what is available.
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Bloomers - San Francisco, California 
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA REPRESENTATIVE - art currently on display
​Eleven new selections of beautiful oil paintings have just arrived!  August 1, 2024   Come see this beautiful establishment and meet the friendly people


BLOOMERS - EXCEPTIONAL FLORAL DESIGNS - GIFTS - ART
​2975 WASHINGTON STREET - PACIFIC HEIGHTS DISTRICT
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94115
telephone - 415 563-3266

email - [email protected]

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August 2024 - Newly selected oil paintings & pastels have been added to the collection.  Come in and meet the staff and see the beautiful arrangements and art.  Over one dozen quality works of art are now on display.  Beautiful floral arrangements by the talented staff make this a “Must See engagement!”   Thank you, Bloomers for accepting my art for your gallery and to display my paintings.  Please stop in an see this extraordinary flower and gift shop and say hello to the friendly & talented staff.
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  The art that you see listed on these pages is the most current from the studio of the artist.  My representatives listed above can assist you in any questions  that you might have, or you can contact me directly through my email at [email protected].  Also, my contact information is on the last page on this site.  Please leave me a message if you would like and I will return your enquiry shortly.  Best wishes, & thank you for your interest and comments.  When you see:  (POR) this means PRICE ON REQUEST from the gallery!
  When you read - (Enquire) - it means that the art work is not in the gallery, but still at the artist’s studio.  All of the paintings that you see on this site “POR" are for sale - PLUS - the gallery commission.  If you find something here that interests you, just let me know (or the gallery) and we will make arrangements for you to inspect the work more carefully.   If you discover something of special interest, you can reach me personally through the contact page above - CONTACT.  Thank you, and I welcome you to explore this extensive site.   Blessings to you all.  Also, please remember that all pastel paintings are prepared under the most professional means possible.  Using custom made picture frames - many of which are antique - and using 100% acid free mounting - plus UV protected and glare proof glass used on all works created on paper using the finest soft pastels created by Sennelier. By using these methods you can expect a long term investment that can be enjoyed for generations to come.  Only the finest materials are used throughout and finished under strictest of museum standards.     Michael Cowles
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The Golden Hills of California - pastel - 12 x 24  represented by Carmel Fine Art   (POR)
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Fertile Lands, Coastal Highway - oil 9.5 x 5   represented by Carmel Fine Art   (POR)
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Twilight Along The Dunes, Pt. Reyes - oil - 12 x 34.5   represented by Carmel Fine Art   (POR)
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Along The Monterey Coast, California - oil - 21 x 25    represented by Carmel Fine Art    (POR)
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Afternoon Showers, California - oil - 12 x 9   represented Carmel Fine Art   (POR)
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Seclusion, California Coast - pastel - 9 x 12  represented by Carmel Fine Art    (POR)
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Pacific Grove,  Along The Coast - oil - 13 x 16   represented Carmel Fine Art   (SOLD)
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Spring on the Coast - pastel - 13x10   (Enquire)
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Twilight & Shadows - pastel - 12 x 16   represented by Carmel Fine Art    (SOLD)
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Spring Blossoms - oil - 8 x 10   represented by Carmel Fine Art   (POR) 
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A Guiding Light, Carmelite Monastery, Carmel, CA  - oil - 14 x 20   Rep.  Carmel Fine Art  (SOLD) 
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Above The Ridge - pastel - 12 x 16  represented Carmel Fine Art  (POR) 
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A Path to the Shore, Point Lobos, CA  - pastel - 11 x 14    represented Carmel Fine Art    (POR)
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Afternoon Along the Russian River - oil - 8 x 10  represented Bloomers (SOLD)
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Afternoon On the Russian River - oil - 8 x 10    (Enquire)
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Russian River Solitude - pastel - 7.5 x 10    (Enquire)
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Twilight Glows - pastel - 11 x 6   (SOLD)
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Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Oakland - pastel - 5 x 6.5    (Enquire)
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Evening Glow (miniature) - pastel - 4 x 6   (Enquire)
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On The Coast, California  - oil - 9 x 12   represented Bloomers    (POR)
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By The Coast of Carmel - pastel - 6 x 8    represented Carmel Fine Art  (POR)
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Pebble Beach Cypress Grove - oil - 9.5 x 7    represented Carmel Fine Art    (POR)
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Reflections - Bodega Bay, CA  - pastel - 9 x 12     (Enquire)
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As The Light Fades - oil - 11 x 14    (Enquire)
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Sunny Hills, California - oil - 12 x 16      (Enquire)
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Early Pacific Grove - 7 x 5    (Hold)
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A Starlight Night,  Big Sur, CA - oil - 14 x 11   (Enquire)
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Double sided diptych - Storm Surge, Coastal Vista - oil - overall, 9 x 22.5    rep. CFA  -  (POR)
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A Quiet Shoreline - oil - 11 x 14    represented Carmel Fine Arts   (POR)
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Impressions of Spring - pastel - 11 x 7    represented Carmel Fine Art    (POR) 
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Winter Solitude - pastel - 8 x 10   represented Carmel Fine Art    (POR)
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At Lands End  - oil - 9 x 12     (Enquire)
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Dunes & Eucalyptus - oil - 9 x 6   (Sold)
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Monterey Pines on the Carmel Coast - pastel - 7 x 5     (Enquire)
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Evening Calm, Crystal Springs Reservoir - oil - 16 x 20    (Enquire)
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A Clearing Sky - pastel - 9 x 12  (Enquire)
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A Full Moon Rising - pastel - 8 x 10 represented Carmel Fine Art (SOLD)
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The Dunes Beyond - oil - 9 x 12   (Enquire)
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McClures's Beach, Pt. Reyes seashore - pastel - 12 x 16    (Enquire)
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Monterey Dunes - pastel - 9 x 12   represented Carmel Fine Art  (SOLD)
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Sausalito From The Bay - pastel - 12 x 16   (Enquire)
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Sands & Tides Near Lincoln City, Oregon - oil - 12 x 16     (Enquire)
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The Event - Jupiter Ascending - pastel - 16 x 20    (Enquire)
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Along The Shore Near Pt. Richmond - pastel - 8 x 10    (Enquire)
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Approaching Fog - pastel - 9 x 12   represented Carmel Fine Art   (SOLD)
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Sunset's Glow - pastel - 16 x 20    (Enquire)
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A Passing Shower - pastel - 16 x 20   (Enquire)
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A Peaceful Cove - oil - 11 x 14   (Enquire)
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Along the Arroyo Seco - pastel - 9.5 x 10.5   (Enquire)
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MORE NEW ADDITIONS ABOVE ON PAGE 1- MORE RECENT WORKS
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  • (1) Home & and recent works
  • (2) - more recent works
  • (3) - more recent works
  • (4) - sold
  • (5) - SOLD
  • (6) - SOLD / CONTACT