Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Coakes.
Michael, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Even as a small child I got a lot of attention for my art. Most of which was drawing and some painting over the years.
I was raised in a mostly female dominated environment. As a result a lot of my art has always been female centric.
Most recently I’m using photography to render the images of my art.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Typically it has been thematically about paying reference to women. Often I try to depict them as goddess types or at the very least from an upward point of view.
The most common goal in my work is to portray women as strong, confident and independent.
In the last 10 years my medium of choice has shifted to photography. I still draw but mostly its sketching concepts for what often ends up executed as a photo.
My art occasionally wanders off of this theme but it is what I’m most inspired by.
In all of what I make I try to leave the backstory of the image open to interpretation by the viewer. I think if the viewer can relate to it in their own way, the way one can with a song for instance, it can create a deeper connection for THEM and for me, that’s what art should do.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I think being able to have people connect with your work is a matter of success for an artist.
I think good execution and presentation go a long way in bringing an artist to more opportunities to exhibit their work. It doesn’t do any good to create art if no one sees it. I could create a warehouse of work but if no one sees it no one will ever connect with it. As an artist you have to work in getting it accepted into exhibiting situations. Being “professional” in your submissions to those opportunities is an important part of the process. A little extra time and attention to details always pays off.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I currently only have one piece on public exhibit at Jackson Junge Gallery in Wicker Park but I often have work in exhibits at various galleries at the same time. I generally average 4 to 8 exhibits per year.
Meanwhile most of my work can be seen on my website. michaelcoakesart.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelcoakesart.com
- Phone: 312-576-0333
- Email: info@michaelcoakesart.com
- Instagram: michaelcoakesart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelcoakesart
Image Credit:
(profile photo) Brooke Hummer
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
