| Issue #33 - November 7, 2008 |
Honoring the Artist: Robert Michaels
This week's cover by Robert Michaels recalls the spirit of the season in a most arresting way. At first glance, the folk-art content and subtle fantasy style seem far removed from the artist's signature works, which celebrate the aesthetics of the automobile. Even so, his recurring juxtaposition of a vehicle (in this case, a tractor) with the environment is still salient and provocative.
The following conversation explores Michaels' inspirations.
Q: Obviously, many things inspired the cover.
A: I love this particular time [the Fall] in the Hamptons. I like dramatic scenes, to see the leaves turn. I love the area generally, its country setting and sophistication.
Q: Speaking of settings, environment is so important to you, both in where you have lived and in your paintings.
A: Yes. My wife and I have lived in Malibu, California, where I didn't see the leaves turn and it never got below 70 degrees, and Santa Fe before coming to Bridgehampton.
Q: Why Santa Fe?
A: One day I just said to my wife, we're moving to Santa Fe. I saw myself wearing cowboy boots, riding a horse, and growing a pony-tail. We stayed there for four years.
Q: Why the Hamptons?
A: Some friends from New York called and said, "Why not try the New York area?" So, after three or four trips and seeing 80 or 90 houses, we settled in Bridgehampton. That's coming full circle because I grew up in New York.
Q: Besides America, you've also lived in other parts of the world. Tell us about Vietnam, not your experience in the war, but your reaction to the surroundings.
A: No matter what people say, it's gorgeous.
Q: If you could live anyplace else, where would it be?
A: France or Italy, places where we've also been.
Q: So, can you explain your ultimate inspiration in creating a work, the season or the setting?
A: If I get inspired, I'll do an image.
Q: That's to the point. Is it a special kind of beauty that attracts you?
A: I like beauty, sometimes in odd places like in rusted cars at a wrecking yard.
Q: Contributing to your inspirations are the diverse professional experiences you have had in addition to the many places you have visited.
A: Yes, I have a background in landscapes (drawn from Africa and the Southwest).
Q: And you're considered one of the top automobile artists in the field.
A: That, too.
- Marion Wolberg Weiss
Mr. Michaels' website is: www.robertmichaelsphoto.com
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