|
|
John Michael Byrd holds an MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and is also an alumnus of Louisiana State University, with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. He is primarily a painter, but has also worked in drawing, collage, objects, performance and printmaking.
John Michael’s work has been featured in numerous regional and national exhibitions, and he has mounted almost a dozen solo exhibitions in Louisiana, Oregon, Massachusetts and New York. Also, he has been awarded several grants and scholarships, including the J. Kenneth Edmiston Memorial Scholarship and the Carl M. Thorp Memorial Art Scholarship.
John Michael Byrd’s work is focused on absurdity and the uncanny, in an attempt to resolve the gap between the artificial and the real, juxtaposing appropriated imagery in various media. John Michael works as an Academic Advisor at SVA and is constantly painting, writing and reading Tarot cards in his spare time.
John Michael’s work has been featured in numerous regional and national exhibitions, and he has mounted almost a dozen solo exhibitions in Louisiana, Oregon, Massachusetts and New York. Also, he has been awarded several grants and scholarships, including the J. Kenneth Edmiston Memorial Scholarship and the Carl M. Thorp Memorial Art Scholarship.
John Michael Byrd’s work is focused on absurdity and the uncanny, in an attempt to resolve the gap between the artificial and the real, juxtaposing appropriated imagery in various media. John Michael works as an Academic Advisor at SVA and is constantly painting, writing and reading Tarot cards in his spare time.
Published on May 19th, 2022. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I'm currently experimenting with combining canvas (which I haven't used in years), painted mylar, and layers of acrylic medium. I'm also starting to delve deep into my sketchbooks and tarot practice to motivate new images - exploring the clash of joy and melancholy, free association, and childlike reactions to trauma.
I'm always very excited about the little things, funny turns of phrases, dreams, lost expressions, silly photos, dog costumes, old esoteric books, rhyming dictionaries, and whimsical experiments.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused me to slow down my production and, in turn, slow down my mind. Recalibration is an understatement; I'm ready to reach out to people for connections and for them to reciprocate in a dialog of intentional care. This dialog between us sentient beings interests me, after months of isolation, even more than in the before-time. This period of suspension has excited my "we all need to look out for one another" predilections.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
I find my mind very active late at night. I return home from my nightly bike ride, I change clothes then draw, journal, and work intermittently on various projects throughout the night. I like my studio to be filled with all the totems from which I draw inspiration. Some of which are: coffee in a nice cup, ambient music (esoteric 80s dance music playlists are typical), too many library books: anything by Teju Cole, Joseph Cambell, Joy Harjo, and Patti Smith. I also have my tarot decks to keep me busy - I’ve begun doing personal readings over Zoom by popular request.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
A network of friends willing to talk shop is my most important resource. I'm very introverted by nature, contrary to my chatty exterior; I sort of masquerade as an extrovert. Sometimes I have to force myself to emerge from my hermit-like existence and reach-out. I like to run new ideas by curators and artist friends, to get a good idea of how they’re developing or could be improved. Also, I suggest getting a dog; they keep you honest and humble.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
My goal in the coming year is to exhibit more. You’re always welcome to contact me with show opportunities *smiles like the Cheshire Cat.* I'm concentrating on experimenting more - trying to rouse my work from last year’s imposed hibernation. I'd love to increase my number of solo shows, especially in cities where I've never exhibited. More studio visits, more Zoom chats . . . and more dancing, too. I'm also focusing on reading more poetry which I had an unexplained hiatus for no real reason.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I'm currently experimenting with combining canvas (which I haven't used in years), painted mylar, and layers of acrylic medium. I'm also starting to delve deep into my sketchbooks and tarot practice to motivate new images - exploring the clash of joy and melancholy, free association, and childlike reactions to trauma.
I'm always very excited about the little things, funny turns of phrases, dreams, lost expressions, silly photos, dog costumes, old esoteric books, rhyming dictionaries, and whimsical experiments.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused me to slow down my production and, in turn, slow down my mind. Recalibration is an understatement; I'm ready to reach out to people for connections and for them to reciprocate in a dialog of intentional care. This dialog between us sentient beings interests me, after months of isolation, even more than in the before-time. This period of suspension has excited my "we all need to look out for one another" predilections.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
I find my mind very active late at night. I return home from my nightly bike ride, I change clothes then draw, journal, and work intermittently on various projects throughout the night. I like my studio to be filled with all the totems from which I draw inspiration. Some of which are: coffee in a nice cup, ambient music (esoteric 80s dance music playlists are typical), too many library books: anything by Teju Cole, Joseph Cambell, Joy Harjo, and Patti Smith. I also have my tarot decks to keep me busy - I’ve begun doing personal readings over Zoom by popular request.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
A network of friends willing to talk shop is my most important resource. I'm very introverted by nature, contrary to my chatty exterior; I sort of masquerade as an extrovert. Sometimes I have to force myself to emerge from my hermit-like existence and reach-out. I like to run new ideas by curators and artist friends, to get a good idea of how they’re developing or could be improved. Also, I suggest getting a dog; they keep you honest and humble.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
My goal in the coming year is to exhibit more. You’re always welcome to contact me with show opportunities *smiles like the Cheshire Cat.* I'm concentrating on experimenting more - trying to rouse my work from last year’s imposed hibernation. I'd love to increase my number of solo shows, especially in cities where I've never exhibited. More studio visits, more Zoom chats . . . and more dancing, too. I'm also focusing on reading more poetry which I had an unexplained hiatus for no real reason.
Find John-Michael Byrd on Instagram
|
|