Coupeville artist Mike Wise was chosen as the 2015 Arts and Crafts Festival poster artist.

His original piece was unveiled Monday to festival association members along with a first draft of the new poster.

Wise said he really appreciated being the poster artist this year and was happy with how the poster was shaping up.

Wise is an Impressionist oil painter best known for landscapes. His winning submission features a festive scene of Front Street in Coupeville lined with festival booths and filled with crowds.

“Mike’s representational art is achieved by using loose brushwork and an extensive use of a palette knife, which creates paintings with movement and energy, that are rich in color, texture and a distinct three-dimensional feel that draws the viewer deep into the painted image,” said Carol Moliter, who presented the art.

Wise is a member of Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society.

His work has been featured in galleries, shows and competitions all over the country — from the Pacific Northwest down to Texas and across to Vermont.

Wise has studied under several painters, but is primarily self-taught.

He works in what was once an old barn on the family property that he converted to a modern art studio and recently participated in the Whidbey Working Artists Studio Tour.

Wise’s winning submission earned him a $500 honorarium, and the piece is now property of the festival association, Moliter said.

In the months leading up to the August festival, the art will be on display at various locations throughout Central Whidbey.

The association will sell $1 raffle tickets and the artwork will be raffled off during the festival, which is Aug. 1-2.

Money raised from the raffle is used for student scholarships.

For more information on this year’s Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival, go to www.coupevillefestival.com