Mike Howat is a NH-based painter. His work explores collective memory, Americana and urban isolation. Since earning his B.F.A. from New Hampshire Institute of Art in 2014, he has been actively engaged in the New England art scene and exhibits regularly in galleries across the country. When not in his studio, he’s likely wandering the coast or the White Mountains.

"Behind Doors and Windows"
In my work, I explore collective memory through the lens of architectural landscape. This series reflects my final days in an apartment I called home for eight years, where I focused on painting its doors and windows. The series centers on elusive nocturnal scenes, barely visible through the reflective glass. These intimate interiors serve as a way to explore the uncertain and transient nature of memories tied to familiar places. Doors and windows act as frames, offering fragmented glimpses into something unknowable or incomplete in reflected glass. By capturing these moments of transition and the in-between spaces, I aim to invite viewers to reflect on their own memories—particularly the fleeting and often ambiguous nature of how we remember specific places and the emotions they evoke