Mike, thanks so much for sharing your work with us and the Local community. The response on your format has been super-positive. When did you first think about this particular platform?
Hey Rob. First off, thanks for the opportunity to show my art at Local! After graduating Art School in 2001, I moved back home and set up an art studio in my parents’ basement. I was constantly experimenting with my art and exploring different types of surfaces to paint on beyond traditional canvases. After painting on wood and other found objects, I came across an old box of vinyl records that my parents had stored away, so I looked through them and found one that was probably not worth listening to ever again and thought, “why not?” Trying to stay true to the medium, I painted a classic portrait of Billie Holiday with the big white flower in her hair and that’s where it began.
Lots of discussion, notably surrounding what musicians and bands you decided to paint and post. How did you ultimately land on this mix for Local?
I just really like all kinds of music. I’m always listening to music while painting. In one session I can easily go from Wu Tang to Fiona Apple to Metallica. I can honestly say that 99% of the artists that I choose to paint are artists whose music I like...or at least appreciate. I also try to give the viewers a little of everything in hopes of sparking a positive music memory or feeling. It’s always great seeing people really engage with the work and pick out their favorites, both artistically and musically. I hope with this diverse collection of 48 records up at Local there is something for everyone.
As we're in the shop all day, I am constantly looking at the albums and reengaging with so many of these artists. Of particular interest is Dolly Parton. Her voice in 'Jolene' is arguably one of the most passionate, in and out of country music. Have to ask, how did you come to paint her?
She was one of the more recent ones I painted. Dolly is a legend in so many ways and seems to be coming back around in pop culture. She is one of those artists like Bob Marley or the Beatles that just transcends her genre. I dare anyone to say anything negative about Dolly. It doesn’t matter what style of music that you prefer, if someone puts on ‘Jolene’ those 3 minutes or so are going to take you somewhere special.
Curious - have you connected with any of these musicians through your art?
Not yet. I’ve created several personal vinyl paintings for friends who are musicians and I’ve had a few local musicians reach out, but I’m yet to get the invite to Saint Tropez on Jay-Z and Beyonce’s yacht...fingers crossed for this summer!
Many people have asked, so I'll put it out to you here - what albums did you paint over for this project?
They are all painted on first press copies of the Beatles’ White Album… No, just kidding. People often ask me if the artists painted on the records match the music on it, and the answer is no – I would never paint on a vinyl record I would want to listen to. I’ve acquired a large collection of old records from various places like garage sales and friends have given me old stacks that they didn’t want anymore. There used to be a great music store in Hoboken called Tunes. When I lived there, I would go all the time to look through the old clearance records. I would pick up a bunch of vinyl for like 25-50 cents apiece. It’s a different kind of crate digging. I always wondered what the cashiers were thinking as they scanned my random collection of classical baroque, some obscure jazz, and Norwegian death metal. As long as the vinyl is in good condition and not scratched up, I’ll use it...unless I end up keeping it for my personal collection.
Luckily, I preserved all of my albums from childhood as well as my parent's collection. I love that moment when the needle hits the vinyl and a crackling is audible, almost like that moment when starting a fire. Can we safely assume that you have albums to listen to as well? What do you love about this music format?
It’s a magical moment indeed. My parents had a decent record collection from the 70s and early 80s and we always listen to music in our house growing up. My brother and I had a small, typical 80’s kid collection like Michael Jackson, Weird Al, Beastie Boys, Culture Club, the Breakin’ Soundtrack, and other randomly acquired finds. Most of those records are still part of my current collection of “listening” vinyls. Though the format has changed many times over throughout the years, music has always been a big part of my life. There is always great music flowing through my house, unless my kids take control of the music. Obviously, vinyl has come back around within the past few years and it’s great to see people of all ages really embracing the medium. With everything these days being digital and right at your fingertips, it’s nice to have a tangible alternative and a collection that is uniquely yours. Being able to put a record on the turntable, drop the needle, and hear all the pops and crackles is just so much more of a personal experience than scanning Spotify and pressing play (disclaimer: I also love Spotify and think it’s an amazingly wonderful platform that I use almost daily).
I was so happy to learn that you are an art teacher provided our particular interest in this discipline. Thank you for everything you do! What is the most rewarding aspect of this path that you have chosen? Any singular moments that put you over the moon?
There have been so many great moments teaching art over the years. I have had the pleasure of working with some very talented students and am grateful to have played a part in their artistic journey. It’s always nice to reconnect with past students that have graduated who tell me that they still remember specific moments from my class. Whether it’s specifically about art or just a positive memory. I don’t expect all of them to become artists but if they can at least come away with a positive experience and a slightly stronger appreciation for art, then I’m happy.
Please tell us about any current projects you're working on, either connected to the albums or perhaps something new?
Well, the album art seems to be an ongoing project that started in my parents’ basement and continues in my current Montclair basement, and will probably never end. I have an ever-growing backlog of artists that I want to take on. In addition to the records, I’m always busy working on something, whether it’s paintings, drawings, collages, etc. I have a few shows coming up in and around the Montclair area this spring and summer and I’m always on the lookout for different opportunities to show my work and connect to people.
