Born in 1954, Michael Weitnauer has lived much of his life in Australia with periods of time spent living and working in Europe. He has a close connection with Berlin, where both his parents grew up and lived before immigrating to Australia in 1952.

Weitnauer comes from a family with a strong art background - his grandfather, Arthur, was a renown German landscape and portrait painter based in Berlin; and his mother, who studied at the Berlin School of Applied Art, ensured that drawing and painting were an important part of family life. It wasn't until the mid - seventies, however, after living in Germany and working for a time at the Berlin Museum, that he developed a committed interest in art.

In particular, early to mid - twentieth century European painters had the greatest impact on him, especially Klee, Miro and Kandinsky. From the late - seventies to the mid - eighties he 'dabbled and experimented' with drawing and painting.

Since then, he has worked consistently at developing his style and skills in a way that deliberately challenges some of the traditional approaches to landscape painting. Critics have praised his work in recent times as being 'elegant', 'beguiling', 'lyrical' and of 'fine depth'. The recognition of the quality of his work is reinforced by the fact that in recent years his exhibitions consistently sell out. He has clearly established himself as a notable painter. His work is keenly sought after both in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Canada, USA and through Europe.

In the last ten years, Michael Weitnauer has held 19 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 15 group shows around Australia and overseas. His most recent success was winning the prestigious 2002 Wrest Point Casino Hotel Art Award.