Michael Goettner

Automobile & Aviation Artist

Michael Goettner, an artist of transportation, is an import from Hamburg, Germany. He resides in Sylvania, Ohio. He has been an artist his entire life.

Michael received a degree in art and design from Ferris State University. Immediately thereafter, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and ultimately saw action in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry Division. His tour of duty also included part time combat art.

“I am an industrial designer and consequently the technical environment played a key roll in developing a realistic, and highly detailed technique in my paintings”. His signature is reflections and lighting , the special elements that create interest into a painting. Each painting is a new learning experiment to constantly achieve variety. “Watercolor paint is the medium of choice, although all other mediums are not strangers to me”.

Transportation, especially automobiles, have been Michaels interest from childhood on. “I can’t explain it, it is just there”. Ironically, the world of industrial design, modes of travel, and a realistic technique all seem to fit together. The challenge is to place these elements into a fine art motif.

Michael is a member of the Air Force Art Program, which documents Air Force history through fine art. His experiences include flights in a mid air refueling excersize, a T38 training flight, and the ultimate experience of an F16 fighter flight over the Utah mountains. Two of Michael’s paintings are in the Air Force art collection at the Pentagon.

Goettner’s career as an industrial designer encompasses over 40 years and continues today. He is a former member of the Industrial Designer’s Society of America and is the recipient of fifty design patents with products on store shelves around the world.

Michael has received numerous art awards including three consecutive Awards of Excellence at the Kruse International Collector Car Auction art exhibits, an Award of Excellence and a Chairman’s Award at the Classic Car Club of America (Gilmore Grand Experience). Other art awards were achieved at prestigious events including the Cincinnati (Ault Park), and Bay Harbor, Concours d Elegance, as well as the Meadowbrook-Waterford Historic Races.

Paintings by Goettner were the featured posters and catalog covers for the Bay Harbor, Cincinnati, Gilmore, and Naples Concours d Elegance. He is the 2009 art feature at the Dayton Concours. His work was also a one man exhibit at the famed Auburn-Cord-Deusenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana, and the Kruse Classic Car Museum. Other exhibits include the Pole Position Gallery in Paris, Art Automobil in Montreal, The Automobile Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan, and Velocity in Minneapolis. His work can also be found at Automobili Lamborghini, Ferrari S.p.A., the Heritage Flight Museum, the Gilmore Museum store, the Pierce Arrow Museum, and the Pentagon. His art has been featured in several publications including Automobile Quarterly and Auto Aficionado. Designs were shown in Motor Trend.

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to exhibit my art with many of the world’s renowned transportation artists. My client list extends across North America. ”

Commissions are accepted. Any mode of transporation can be ordered with a custom background to suit your taste.