Mike has spent his life on the water, most of it with a fishing rod in hand. He grew up in South Florida where he could be found fishing from the beaches or piers, in canals and Intracoastal, offshore, or in the Bahamas. When he became a ‘Florida Gator’ he added inland lakes, rivers, creeks, and roommates’ aquariums to his list of favorite fishing spots!

After graduating from UF, he became a USCG Licensed Boat Captain and spent the next 30 plus years running and maintaining private pleasure and tournament sportfishing boats from Cape Cod to San Salvador and all over the Gulf of Mexico. He painted marine life off and on over the years for family and friends or to donate as awards for fishing tournaments. In 2017, he let his hidden artistic talent out of the fish box for everyone to enjoy! He is now fulfilling his life-long desire to paint professionally and has created dozens of “Fitz Originals,” some complimented by his own unique handcrafted wooden frames. In vibrant colors, his self taught and evolving style depicts the beauty and energy of sea life. Mike’s enthusiasm is infectious and his paintings reflect his great love for both painting and life under the water.

Mike’s paintings are well known around town and as a member of Butterfield Garage, his work is regularly on display, so stop in to check it out!