Artist Michael Hoffee's Story

Michael Hoffee was born in 1951 in Los Angeles, California. His creative and free spirit was shaped by growing up in Hermosa Beach around the surf culture, music, garage bands, and being influenced by other iconic areas such as Venice Beach and Hollywood. 

Michael and his wife Diane embarked on many adventures and creative pursuits together in the 1970s. Micheal practiced drumming with up-and-coming bands. The two were also bohemian crafters and makers, creating patchwork denim fashion as well as painting and applying appliqué designs onto clothing.

By the early 1980s Mike and Diane had a total of five children and were living in Manhattan Beach, CA. They opened a trendy fashion boutique, Monkey Business, in Hermosa Beach. They also bought and sold sought-after vintage clothing to Japan, further developing their eye for fashion and unique niche markets. All along the way family was very important to Michael and his children were always involved in helping with their family businesses.

Eventually the Hoffee’s moved to Placerville, a small town in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. In the early 1990s, Mike and Diane opened a vintage clothing store, X-21, in Sacramento. The store eventual turned into a beloved skateboard shop that helped shaped the 90s Sacramento skateboard scene. Michael was like father figure to many of the skaters and was generous with his wisdom, kindness and resources.

In the late 1990s Michael endured a devastating spinal injury that resulted in several back surgeries and having metal placed into his spine. He would live with this pain for the remainder of his life. This was also the catalyst for Michael’s painting career. He first started painting in his hospital bed with paints and oil pastels that one of his daughters brought as a gift. From there he never stopped.

His road to physical recovery led to a dark night of the soul, where Michael became addicted to the painkillers he was prescribed, which led him to a stay at a rehab facility and hospital in St. Helena, CA. His motto became, “paint not pain.” His early art is a reflection of his spiritual journey through recovery and rehabilitation. 

Diane and Michael opened a clothing and skateboard store, Gallery Clothing, in Placerville in the early 2000s. The store became a local favorite, and again Michael was a kind soul always open to talking and providing wisdom to a diverse array of customers. It was also a place for him to store and display his art. Gallery would remain open until his passing in 2021. 

Throughout that time Michael’s art quickly became noticed and admired. He was featured as an integral part and online presence for an Outsider art collective. As his art evolved into large vibrant florals and interiors of iconic locations inspired by his travels, Micheal’s art career flourished throughout the Napa Valley area, including Sonoma, Healdsburg and St. Helena. He was also internationally recognized, collaborating with European artists and even being invited the the Florence Biennale three years in a row.

Through it all Michael stayed grounded. He enjoyed giving back to his local community by donating art. His family always came first and his greatest joy was being able to share his art with his children and grandchildren. He painted through the good times and the bad, through physical pain and through the ups downs of life. He never stopped painting.