Mike Laiuppa

Mike is a personal trainer and oil painter based in Simsbury, CT. Along with running his training business, he teaches painting at West Hartford Art League, workshops at Lyme Art Association, and private lessons. Mike's main focus is in human and animal portraiture, but he also enjoys painting still-life. He is a member of both the Portrait Society of America and Oil Painters of America.

​"Oil paint feels alive to me. It can be pushed, prodded, streaked, and steered. But no matter what you do to it, it will remain true to your intent. I find it a fascinating medium with which to create. It's by far the easiest I've played with, but truly the hardest to master. It's for these reasons, I feel drawn to commanding it."

"The question we all have is, 'What is the meaning of life?'" I believe the meaning is to have a purpose. Otherwise, we are born only to consume and that, to me, is tragic. My purpose is not to simply to create, but also to teach. Passing on knowledge and skills to help someone improve their lives, and hopefully the lives of others, is the reason I was put here. In order to teach, I must learn. Whether it's music, art, martial arts, fitness, cooking, writing, or whatever facet of life interests me, I learn it to the best of my ability and then pass it along as soon as I'm able. Seeing others improve their lives is truly joyous."

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-Everett Raymond Kinstler Mentorship presented by the Portrait Society of America for 2025 (Mentor: Grace DeVito)
-Elected Artist at Lyme Art Association -Oct. 2025
-Second Place: Lyme Art Association for "Tinsmith of Sturbridge Village" -Feb. 2026
-Second Place and Matilda Browne Award: Lyme Art Association's for "Letting it Down" -Jan. 2025
-Third Place: Lyme Art Association for "Boule on Towel" -March 2023