Like David Hockney? Then Meet Michael Pfleghaar.

michael pflehgaars architectural art

Now it’s true, the Ohio-born, Michigan based Michael Pfleghaar‘s work is similar to that of David Hockney’s in both style and color as well as subject matter. But, given that the majority of art-lovers out there cannot come close to affording an original Hockney, Pfleghaar’s original works are an unexpectedly great alternative.

Michael Pfleghaar Architectural Art

Michael Pfleghaar Architectural Art
Michael Pfleghaar, Royal Melbourne facade

Of course his work is not an actual substitute for a Hockney; his craft is not as mature, his style not as diverse, his technique for more naive, but Michael is a lot younger than David and far more accessible to the masses. His work is very appealing, growing in popularity and critical acclaim. Throughout the post, I’ve included several of Hockney’s pieces with that of Pfleghaar’s, so be sure to read the captions.

Michael Pfleghaar Architectural Art
Michael Pfleghaar, Red and Green

An illustrator, painter and ceramicist, Michael has several different series of works. All of them have amazing energy, use of color and whether exteriors or interiors, a modernist sensibility.

One of his series consists of several famous icons of modern architecture like the Pierre Koenig Stahl residence and the Philip Johnson Glass home.

The Pierre Koenig-Stahl residence:
Pierre Koenig-Stahl residence painting

The Philip Johnson Glass home:
painting of johnson's glass house

Michael’s series of Palm Springs modern homes include renderings of the Albert Frey home, Wexler homes and the famous Neutra Kauffman home amongst others.

A study of the Albert Frey Palm Springs home:
contemporary impressionism

Edris House study:
paintings of midcentury modern houses

the Kaufmann Residence in Palm Springs by Richard Neutra:

kauffman house painting

The Wentworth home in Palm Springs:

michael pflehgaar artworks

Wexler home in Palm Springs:

wexler home art by michael pflehgaar

Wexler Steel House:
zig zag house painting

And below are some direct comparisons to Hockney’s work:

Hockney’s “A Bigger Splash”:
david hockney, a bigger splash

Pfleghaar’s View Of Cielo Drive:Pfleghaar's View Of Cielo Drive

Hockney’s Cactus Garden:
david hockney cactus garden

His interiors, also like Hockney’s, are in skewed perspective and often feature classically modern design elements like Eames chairs and Bullet planters.

Pfleghaar’s Potted Jade in modern planter:

Hockney’s Potted Jade, 1988:

Pfleghaar’s Animated Eames Chairs:
Animated Eames Chairs by pflehgaar

Pfleghaar’s Modern Mantel still life:

Hockney’s Mt. Fuji and Orchid:
Hockney's Mt. Fuji and Orchid

Michael Pfleghaar’s Sunlight and Orchid:
Michael Pfleghaar's Sunlight and Orchid

Speaking of plants, this post would not be complete without sharing his adorable ceramic “little buds” with you as well:
plehgaar ceramic plants

And both Hockney and Pfleghaar share a love of dogs.

Hockney’s Dog painting 17:

Michael Pfleghaar’s Dog On Sheep’s Clothes:

Pfleghaar’s Madison In The Studio:
painting of border collie

About the artist:

artist michael pfleghaar
artist Michael Pfleghaar working in his Grand Rapids, MI studio

Since his childhood, Michael Pfleghaar has had a deeply personal & inspired relationship with the arts.

Born in 1965 in Toledo, Ohio, Pfleghaar found himself participating in his first art class as a child in the Toledo Artist’s Club. His love of art eventually led him to Kendall College of Art and Design and Grand Valley State University where he received his BFA in painting.

In the summer of 1988, Pfleghaar attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Aix en Provence, France where he focused his studies on the French landscape. Soon after, Michael Pfleghaar apprenticed with the internationally recognized Michigan artist Stephen Duren.

Buy prints of his work here

Follow him on Insta to stay up to date with his work @pfleghaar

His Studio
His own site