 Portfolio of
Micah W. Guenther
Girard, Kansas
United States
Media Type(s):
| |
Oils & Acrylics
Watercolors
Pastels
Misc/Other
|
e-Mail Artist
|
View Artist Statement
| |
| | | |
Gallery Direct Interview with MICAH W. GUENTHER
Micah’s work is heavily influenced by his mood and the sights and sounds around him. His “Space/Continuum Series,” which was inspired by music, is evidenced by the visual movement of each artwork. The method used to develop this series has created artworks with great depth and texture that allows the viewer to enter into the fantasy world the artist created.
|
Was there a point in your life when you made a conscious decision to become an artist?
No, not really. I just kind of gradually merged into it. I have always loved art, and would often find myself getting lost in works that I really liked. I also have always sketched and doodled, on just about anything that was in front of me. It often times made for mediocre grades and frustrated teachers, not to mention parents.
I understand you are basically a self-taught artist. Could you tell us why you didn’t pursue formal training and by not doing so, what advantages or disadvantages it created?
Well, one of the big reasons was a lack of funds for schooling, since there were no scholarships...(see the above answer). I have always been a bit independent and liked to figure things out on my own. I did however get some training from my mother, who is very talented, and from a fellow artist friend, who has had formal training.
One of the advantages of being self-taught is that to some degree you don't feel the need to follow any rules or guidelines. It all just comes naturally to you, but on the other hand there have been a few disadvantages. Sometimes when involved in a conversation with other artists, collectors, or potential buyers, I feel like I'm lost and don't really know what they are talking about or wanting to learn from me. That's when I really wish for the formal training. But, I am a fairly gifted actor in those types of situations, and can kind of fake my way through it, although I would really prefer not to, as it makes me feel a little guilty or ashamed of myself. Education is power, and I feel everyone needs that.
What kinds of images did you first start out with and what medium did you use at that time?
First, it was a lot of pen and pencil. I would sketch just about anything. Animals, people, trees, etc. Then I moved on to paint. When I worked with my mother, it was a lot of land and seascapes. Done in both oil and acrylic. One of my first oils was done on a 24"x36" canvas. It was a castle in ruin on top of a very rocky mountain, with a huge red dragon flying just above it. Smoke was bellowing and the sky was a mix of blue, purple and red. Very surreal and fantastic. I have since given it away as a gift to a friend who absolutely fell in love with it. It was pretty good, I just wish I had photographed it.
At the present time, what is your artistic medium of choice and why is it your favorite?
Acrylics and enamels on canvas. I like the quicker dry times with these, and I can get a lot of really nice, almost butter-like texture with the acrylic, and the enamels are fairly thin and I can get a really nice honey- like flow with them.
Who has given you the most encouragement to pursue your career in art?
I have really had a lot of encouragement from family and friends, but, my parents were the ones who really pushed me to do more with my work. Also, my artist friend, Mick Lindsay. He always pushed me, hard, to do more. He is the one who basically gave me my first ever exhibit, by giving me half of his space at a gallery who was showing his work.
Your “Sumi Ink” series is very lovely in its simplicity. Could you tell us something about this series and how it evolved?
I have always admired any kind of Japanese or Chinese calligraphy. All of the caracters and the painting done in sumi are just wonderful. I remember, one night, late, after cooking a couple hundred dinners, I wanted to try to do some of the caracters and maybe learn to write in Japanese. Well, it's a lot harder than it looks. You have to put just the right pressure on the brush to achieve the type of line you want. Too, much and the line is too wide, not enough and the line is too thin, so, after about two or three hours, I just started to put different shapes together. Then I thought, maybe some kind of bird would be nice. Then after several attempts, I had finished the piece called "Pride". It really pleased me, and after getting a lot of positive feed back from the local artist community, I decided to do a few more pieces.
The personal style you have developed often incorporates a number of different techniques to produce your final artwork. This is very evident in your Space/Continuum Series. Could you tell us how you developed this style and who influenced you in some of the techniques you used?
The style I developed for these was completely spontaneous. It just came to me one night, just as everything does, (I don't sleep much). Obviously I was heavily influenced by Jackson Pollock, also you can see some elements of Clifford Styll, and Thomas Hart Benton. I know, I know. Thomas Hart Benton??? Benton went through an abstract phase, and produced some really nice work, but in a fit of rage, or insanity, who knows...he destroyed most of it. One did survive, though, called "Bubbles". That's what influence me with the spheres. I just like to do mine with a pallet knife instead of a brush, and with a lot of color. I also like works by Motherwell, Kandinsky and DeKoonig.
Your work in Abstract seems to have incorporated a number of different techniques that are from your “Space/Continuum” Series and the “Sumi Ink” series. Did you have an idea in mind before you began working on these abstract pieces?
No, actually I didn't. Almost all of my abstract pieces were done before the "Space/Continuum" and "Sumi Ink" works.
What role do you think your emotions play in the creative process?
Huge role. Everything hinges on my mood. Sometimes I have to almost force myself to work, and the result is almost always bad. Although some of my best pieces have come out in fits of anger or frustration. And then there are the times when I am in a great mood, and everything just flows out. But, then sometimes, the next day I look at the canvas, shake my head and say, " What were you thinking???"
I understand you like to listen to music when you paint. Can you see a definite relationship between the music and artwork when you finally step back to look at the work you created?
Yes, I can. My "Space/Continuum" series was done while listening to a lot of electronic music. Mostly techno. A lot of dreamy, flying through space sounds accompanied by a constant, thumping, almost hypnotic drum tracks, while most of my abstract works I listened to heavy or black metal. Especially while working on "Blaze", "Eruption" and "Purgatory". I also like to work and listen to classical music. So, I go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Again, it all depends on my mood.
During your career as an artist, could you tell us what has been your greatest success and your biggest setback?
To date, I think my greatest success was my first big sale. I had work in a gallery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and this lady from Toledo, Ohio walked in, spotted one of my paintings, walked directly to it, and said "I don't care how much it costs, I want it!" Wow, what a rush. Also, my first big exhibit, at Spiva in Joplin, Missouri. They are pretty much on the same level. My biggest setback would have to be, not having a place to work. When we moved back home to Kansas, from Arkansas, I lost my "studio". So now I have to try and paint in the laundry room, as the renovation on the old barn is going mighty slow...
In hindsight, what advice would you give an artist just starting out in their career?
Don't get discouraged. The shows and the sales will come eventually, but you have to work at it. Also, keep an open mind to things. Don't be afraid to try something new and maybe break a few rules once in a while. Art is what you make it. I always tell my youngest daughter, "It's your piece, do what you want to with it. You only have to please yourself."
Copyright (C) 2008 www.GalleryDir.com - GALLERY DIRECT - All rights reserved.
|
| | | | | |
|
