Michael Long

Watercolour Artist Exploring Light, Place and Story

Michael Long is a Caboolture North–based artist who works primarily in watercolour, alongside pen & ink and photography. His approach is grounded in observation, with a focus on capturing the character and quiet narrative within places and people.

Drawn to art from a young age, Michael began creating in his early teens before pursuing training in technical drawing. In his early twenties, he sought private lessons in Sydney and later expanded his practice through two years of Fine Arts study at Meadow Bank TAFE, where he explored sculpture, printmaking, and photography.

His work is influenced by his own photography, particularly scenes featuring heritage architecture, landscapes, and reflective surfaces. He is also interested in the subtle qualities of light, especially during the gloaming—the transition between day and night—where atmosphere and mood naturally emerge.

Over the past 18 years, Michael has regularly exhibited with the Artisans’ Guild and at local shows, with a small number of works finding homes in both Australia and Canada. His pieces often reflect a sense of place and memory, combining structure with softness through watercolour techniques.

Currently, Michael is focusing on developing a more restrained painting approach, allowing light and untouched areas of the paper to play a stronger role in each work. His recent subjects include loose landscapes, buildings encountered during travel, portraits, and scenes drawn from the local community.

For Michael, drawing and painting remain a steady and rewarding part of life, offering both focus and a sense of calm.