Meet Prolific Painter Mike Bryce - Inside Art With Michael Rose

Meet Prolific Painter Mike Bryce - Inside Art With Michael Rose

 

Mike Bryce is a Rhode Island artist, through and through. He grew up on 8th Street in the Summit neighborhood of Providence and now lives and works just a couple of blocks away. Bryce is a familiar face to East Siders, who know him as the painter often found working on Blackstone Boulevard. Active in the community, he is the organizer of the PVD Artisans Market that brings creative vendors to Lippitt Park each Saturday in the warmer months. Through May 11, 2025, Bryce is the subject of his first solo show in eight years at Erase Studio and Gallery at 1 Meeting Street in Providence. The exhibition features over 80 locally inspired paintings by the artist.

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Asked about what it means to him to be an artist from Rhode Island whose work is deeply identified with the Ocean State, Bryce answers, “Born, raised and residing in a Rhode Island, I have been very fortunate and grateful to be surrounded by the endless visual beauty within our little state, from the unique architecture, landscapes both intimate and vast, and of course the endless beaches! The nostalgia I feel for Rhode Island is the foundation for my creative expressions in painting. This feeling is certainly shared among many Rhode Islanders, family, friends, colleagues, and patrons.”

 

 

Bryce earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Rhode Island and holds an MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. In the earlier part of his career, he was an active professor. He taught at URI, Salve Regina, CCRI, MassArt, and The Art Institute of Boston. As his daughter grew up and the money he made as a practicing studio artist surpassed what he could make as a college instructor, he gave up teaching in favor of painting. He is a prolific maker and estimates that he sells over 1,000 artworks a year at fairs, festivals, and from his own creative space. He is always painting.

 

Considering the question of what advice he can offer to other artists who would like to be as productive as him, Bryce explains, “As a professional prolific artistic, I would encourage artists in their creative endeavors to first formally study foundation studio arts, through classes or school, learn the rules and tools to design, draw, create. This foundation will allow you the ability to follow creative rules or break them by knowledgeable choice, a place to creatively leap from in their endeavors. Have a committed work ethic, and be sure to also incorporate hobbies, exercise and play time, a creative break. Always remember that the quality of your artful expressions are more important than the quantity of the artwork. Share your work with everyone, be open to all feedback, it will help you grow as an artist.”

 

 

Iconic Rhode Island images are the focus of most of Bryce’s work. Recognizable spots are executed in richly saturated colors. In his current show, viewers will see paintings of everything from Narragansett’s Towers and The Biltmore sign to Awful Awfuls and Del’s Lemonade, with a Dunkin’ cup thrown in for good measure. Bryce has made his own mark on local pop culture too. His paintings are used to adorn the labels of Yacht Club Soda, the beverage of choice at his recent opening reception.

 

Bryce’s current exhibition at Erase Studio and Gallery, titled Spring Fling, is his first solo gallery show in recent years. It’s a milestone for him and is an opportunity for viewers to see an impressive breadth of his work in one place. Reflecting on what it means, the artist says, “Sharing my paintings in this exhibition is essentially sharing the world I live and breathe in everyday of my life. Rhode Islanders have a special love for their surroundings and the things within them, which is validated in their reactions to my work and I enjoy this knowing connection. At the same time the work opens an educational window to the many who travel to our state, experiencing its wonders for the very first time.”

 

 

Bryce is a truly prolific painter and a passionate ambassador for his home state. Through his work as an organizer, he has created a platform for fellow creatives to share and sell their work at PVD Artisans Market. In his studio, he has created bright and cheerful paintings that reflect his undeniable love for Rhode Island. His solo exhibition will take visitors into the mind and heart of one of the state’s most active visual artists.

 

 

Mike Bryce’s solo exhibition Spring Fling is on view at Erase Studio and Gallery at 1 Meeting Street, Second Floor, through May 11, 2025. Follow Mike’s studio practice on Instagram at @mikebryce, and learn more about his show and plan your visit at www.erasestudioandgallery.com.