Mike Potashnik is a plein air watercolorist. He began his art studies five years ago at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia. His studies have included classes in basic figure and gesture drawing, watercolor, and workshops in plein aire painting. Mike also regularly attends the Open Studio for figure drawing in McLean. He is a member of the Virginia Watercolor Society, the McLean Art Society, Loudoun County Sketch Club in Virginia, Baltimore Watercolor Society, and the Southwestern Watercolor Society.

Mike’s painting, “the Market” was accepted by the Virginia Watercolor Society for its 2022 show. Mike’s also received Honorable Mention for “the Market” by the “Eye of the Beholder” art show in Arlington, Virginia and Honorable Mention for his “Life on the Nile” at the 27th Annual Virginia Artists of the 21st Century. Mike was also juried in to the 50th Anniversary Treasury of Art Show of the Vienna Art Society.

Mike is also the Publisher of the International Wine Review which he established in 2005. The Review is an online subscription-based publication which produces bi-monthly reports on the world of wine for wine professionals and others deeply involved in wine.It appears on www. i-winereview.com.

Before his retirement, Mike had a long career in international development with the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank.