Original Canvas Paintings That are Moody, Dramatic, and
Whimsical
Whimsical
Original Abstract Paintings
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Every Yatzi painting begins long before the final brushstroke. Each original is created on a professional-grade 24” × 36” gallery canvas, thoughtfully finished, and arrives beautifully presented in a black float frame—ready to hang and enjoy.
Every artwork is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity featuring a unique Yatzi artwork identification, affirming its originality and place within the Yatzi collection. Shipping and shipping insurance are included in the purchase price, so your painting arrives safely from the studio to your home.
But every painting also has a story.
The links below take you behind the scenes, where you’ll discover the inspiration, creative decisions, triumphs, and occasional surprises that transformed a blank canvas into a finished work of art. Along the way, you’ll see photographs captured throughout the creative process—offering a rare glimpse into how each Yatzi comes to life.
Enjoy the journey from first idea to finished masterpiece.
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The Making of a Yatzi
Mission Statement
Yatzi Studio & Gallery is dedicated to creating and presenting exceptional original abstract art distinguished by emotional depth, atmospheric intrigue, and uncompromising craftsmanship. We cultivate meaningful relationships with collectors through authenticity, originality, and artwork designed to endure for generations.
Collector Services
Certificate of Authenticity
Museum-style COA included
Original Works
No mass production
Shipping & Acquisition
Secure delivery included
About the Studio
Our Vision
We strive to create art that speaks to the soul, combining traditional techniques with contemporary expression to explore the limits of atmosphere and light.
The Process
Each piece is a journey of discovery, layered with meaning and texture. We focus on the interplay between shadow and clarity to reveal hidden depths.
Engagement
The gallery serves as a hub for art lovers and collectors alike, fostering a deeper connection with original works that challenge and inspire.
Meet the Artist Behind Yatzi
Some artists spend a lifetime knowing they were destined to paint. Michael Hewlett took a different path.
For decades, Michael built a career as a corporate controller, helping businesses make sense of numbers, systems, and strategy. A graduate of the University of Southern California, his journey has carried him far from the small Midwestern town where he grew up, through homes in London, Los Angeles, Guam, and, for the past two decades, Phoenix, Arizona.
Then something unexpected happened.
The spreadsheets gave way to spray paint. Financial reports became canvases. Precision met imagination.
Painting became more than a creative outlet—it became a way of telling stories that words could never fully capture.
Michael is both a cancer survivor and a heart attack survivor. Those experiences shaped not only his outlook on life but also the philosophy behind every Yatzi painting. His work is rooted in resilience, emotion, and the quiet beauty found in imperfection. Rich textures, layered color, and unexpected details are never accidents—they are reminders that life’s most meaningful moments rarely arrive polished or predictable.
Perfection, Michael believes, is an illusion. Character is created by the marks, scars, and surprises we collect along the way. Every painting embraces that truth.
The name Yatzi has an equally unexpected story. It belonged first to a tiny Chihuahua adopted from the county animal shelter. The dog arrived with the unusual name, and it simply fit. Over time, Yatzi became much more than the family pet—it became the artistic identity behind Michael’s work and the signature carried by every original painting.
Each Yatzi artwork invites you to slow down, look a little longer, and discover your own story within the layers of color and texture. No two viewers experience a painting in exactly the same way—and that’s exactly the point.
Yatzi Studio & Gallery was founded on a simple belief:
Our lives are imperfect. Our stories are unfinished. There is beauty in both.
The studio—and a small private gallery—are located in Michael’s home in Phoenix, Arizona. Fortunately for the neighbors (and the HOA), tour buses searching for a Yatzi autograph have not yet become a problem, so the address remains private. If you’d like to experience the artwork in person before making a purchase, private viewings are happily arranged by appointment.
If you’re curious about Michael’s professional background before paint replaced spreadsheets, you’ll also find a link to his LinkedIn profile elsewhere on this website.
Thank you for visiting Yatzi Studio & Gallery. I hope somewhere among these paintings you discover a story that feels like your own.