Micah Rauch the artist and founder of Ether Beetle

Hello!

I’m Micah Rauch, currently based in Great Falls, Montana, and a lifelong maker of things, believer in the magic of creation. For me, art has always been about pulling something wondrous from the void, a spark, a story, a world that didn’t exist before.

Ether Beetle is my way back to that playful spark I knew as a kid, sprawled on the floor with butcher paper and crayons. It’s a place to explore strange ideas, try new mediums, and chase curiosity wherever it scuttles. I create because I have to, because without it, my spirit begins to dim.

Background

I grew up on the east side of Montana, on a little farm outside Wolf Point, where big skies and quiet fields taught me to notice small details and dream on a large scale. Over the years, I’ve moved across the state, each place leaving its own imprint and inspiration.

I earned my Associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, followed by a Bachelor’s from Montana State University in Bozeman. My career has taken me from designing for the Museum of the Rockies, to working as an in-house artist at a Bozeman design studio, to freelancing for an assortment of clients, as well as tattooing in Great Falls Montana.

When the world shifted during COVID, I stepped away to be a stay-at-home dad, but the pull of creation never left. Now, I’m rebuilding my artistic path—guided by the wandering Ether Beetle, carrying luminous ideas from the quiet shadows into the open air once more.

Where I’m Headed

I’ve always been drawn to variety in my work, illustrating beer can labels, designing for children’s educational publishers, creating shirt graphics, stickers, and more. Each project is a chance to explore a new medium, a new story, a new way for art to connect with people.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to dive deeper into commercial projects like board games and video games, where art helps build entire worlds. I’d love to bring my style to large-scale murals, transforming walls into windows for the imagination. With my personal work, I want to explore sculpture, experiment with zines, and eventually share what I’ve learned through teaching.

My long-term goal is to shape an artistic career that’s completely mobile. One I can carry anywhere. I want to see more of the world, gathering inspiration from each place I land, and keep finding new and fun ways to create, always blending curiosity, adventure, and artistry into something fresh.