Micheal Zarowsky

Micheal Zarowsky (born 1946) is a Canadian painter known for his specialized techniques in watercolour and mixed media. Born in a displaced persons camp in Germany, Zarowsky immigrated to Canada in 1950. He pursued an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and psychology at York University, graduating in the 1970s. While he held his first exhibition of drawings as a youth, his professional art practice began in earnest following his university studies.

Zarowsky’s work focuses on the interpretation of the Canadian landscape, specifically the wetlands, forests, and seasonal transitions of Ontario. His technical approach is characterized by a "loose" realism that borders on abstraction, often utilizing a pointillist-inspired method to build layers of pigment. In 2000, he developed a signature technique involving the application of watercolours and acrylics directly onto gessoed birch panels, a departure from traditional paper-based methods that allows for increased luminosity and textural depth.

Throughout his career, Zarowsky has been an active member of several prominent Canadian arts organizations. He is an elected member and former board director of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC). Additionally, he holds memberships in the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), the Colour and Form Society (CFS), and the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA).

His work has been selected for numerous juried exhibitions across public and institutional venues. Notable inclusions include the CSPWC 100th Anniversary Exhibition (2025–2026) at the Helson Gallery and the Roberts Gallery, as well as several annual "Open Water" exhibitions hosted by the CSPWC. His paintings have been featured on the covers of professional publications, such as the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine (2016).

Institutional and corporate collections that house Zarowsky's work include the National Gallery of Bermuda (Masterworks Foundation), the Faculty Club at the University of Guelph, and the University of Rochester. His work is also represented in various municipal and public service collections, including the Thornhill Public Library and the Saratoga Hospital in New York.