Visual Inspirations
The Art of Michael Vahl
By Aaron R. Fodiman
44 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
Michael Vahl began
drawing while in
kindergarten and
has never stopped
perfecting his craft. He is one
of those born with the artistic
gift, who has worked diligently
to hone his portraiture skills
and advance his techniques. In
the three years since he moved
from his native Los Angeles,
California, to the Tampa Bay
area, he has painted more than
ten murals in Tampa and St.
Petersburg, and he is the creative
visual artist for St. Petersburg’s
Jannus Landing, painting many
of its celebrity performers.
He uses oils and acrylics to
put his own personal twist on
portraits and contemporarystyled
artworks that are filled
with details and often show
influences of pop art and modern
culture. His artistic goals are
straightforward and simple.
He wants the viewer to enjoy
and admire his paintings and to
appreciate his ability to bring his
creative visions to life.
This mural of Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala was painted
by Michael in 2016.