water moves us to create murals
Michael Rosato
Muralist
The original plan had been to be a fighter pilot like his father. But then Michael Rosato realized that art was where his passion was. With no formal training, Michael spent hundreds of hours of teaching himself to sketch, filling his apartment walls with larger-than-life human figures. He learned to paint on the job as an assistant to a muralist. Today, with more than 20 years of experience under his paint-splattered belt, he is in demand. His oversize murals depict realistic scenes at Smithsonian museums, National Park Service sites, major league ballparks, the Oklahoma bombing memorial, and more. After living in New York and D.C., Michael and his wife moved to Dorchester County, drawn by the natural beauty and access to water. He started working in his downtown Cambridge studio in 2001. In recent years he’s created five outdoor murals here in Dorchester that capture aspects of local life and history. The murals are part of the still growing Chesapeake Country Mural Trail commissioned by Dorchester County Tourism. The small photo here shows a wall in Michael’s studio with sketches of some of those murals.
Muralist
The original plan had been to be a fighter pilot like his father. But then Michael Rosato realized that art was where his passion was. With no formal training, Michael spent hundreds of hours of teaching himself to sketch, filling his apartment walls with larger-than-life human figures. He learned to paint on the job as an assistant to a muralist. Today, with more than 20 years of experience under his paint-splattered belt, he is in demand. His oversize murals depict realistic scenes at Smithsonian museums, National Park Service sites, major league ballparks, the Oklahoma bombing memorial, and more. After living in New York and D.C., Michael and his wife moved to Dorchester County, drawn by the natural beauty and access to water. He started working in his downtown Cambridge studio in 2001. In recent years he’s created five outdoor murals here in Dorchester that capture aspects of local life and history. The murals are part of the still growing Chesapeake Country Mural Trail commissioned by Dorchester County Tourism. The small photo here shows a wall in Michael’s studio with sketches of some of those murals.
“As a painter, I’m moved by the sheer natural beauty of this area’s landscape and wildlife…and water is a big part of that.”
my picks
Favorite way to spend the day in Dorchester:
It starts with coffee on my porch overlooking Church Creek, then a long walk or paddle through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, then golf at our small club on the Choptank River.
It starts with coffee on my porch overlooking Church Creek, then a long walk or paddle through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, then golf at our small club on the Choptank River.
Favorite place to go with out-of-town friends:
All of the above, plus a trip down to Old Salty’s for a world-class crab cake and views of the Chesapeake Bay.
Off-the-beaten-path favorites:
It’s always fun to explore the surrounding small towns—Vienna, East New Market, Hoopers Island. Each has its own history and special character. And Emily’s Produce is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip to have a light lunch and pick up locally grown produce.
