August Cover ArtistCover Artist: Michael Page    

Cover artist Michael Page lives and works as a full-time artist in San Francisco, CA. He has shown his work nationally and internationally throughout the United States and Europe, including the cities of Reykjavik, Berlin, Bristol, Rome, and Montreal

thalo: How did you get started, as an artist?

Michael Page: I met my wife, who got me into painting first. Then, I attended a school in Florence, Italy, to become a shoe designer—and fell in love with having a studio and painting. I felt it was the only way I could properly express myself … and I’ve never looked back since.

th: What was the first work of art you sold?

MP: I sold a small painting to a little gallery here in San Francisco, which has since shut its doors.

th: How do you feel your growth as an artist is reflected in your work over the years?

MP: I have learned a lot of techniques and ways to process my work. I hope to learn more and apply it all to my future works. Never wanting to be stagnant and always moving forward … I’ve moved my work in new directions and have gone further with my paintings than I ever would have otherwise

th: What topic is most prevalent in your recent work?

MP: I have been working with spiritual elements and trying to explore what is in the ether and our subconscious. I find myself going back to [that theme] over and over again

th: Who are the women you portray in your work?

MP: They’re actually self-portraits of me, as a woman. I leaned in psychology [in college] that people have both a male and female psyche. So, when people ask, “Who is this girl?” I just say, “Oh, that’s me.”

th: How did you create this month’s cover art?

MP: Last year, I was working on a body of paintings called “Into Passing,” where I was dealing with the passing of life and the loss of time. This piece really came about one evening when I was thinking of what life would be like after our species is gone and everything is underwater. It really seemed to fit perfectly with what I was exploring and trying to explain.

th: You seem to gravitate toward featuring certain animals in your work. How do you feel that they contribute to the messages you’re looking to express?

MP: I love painting animals, with each one having so many different spiritual meanings. They will always have a place in my work. I feel that I need to be painting certain animals to give them a voice

th: It seems that you use oil and acrylic exclusively to create your work. Have you experimented with any other media?

MP: I love using everything and anything that I can get my hands on, from watercolors, oil, and pastel to crayons, pens, pencils, spray paint, markers, and gold.

th: Please describe your creative process. How does your vision for a piece change once you begin?

MP: Either I will start throwing colors together that I like and make shapes until something viable to work with forms—or, I draw out an idea that I want to work with and then that drawing is put to paint. Once I have something I feel I can dedicate time to, I will really dive into it. The piece will always change and form new ideas as the process continues, but the meaning of the work is always prevalent.

th: Is there a piece you are most proud of?

MP: I don’t know if “proud” is the right word, but I do feel connected to all of my paintings in one way or another. Choosing one, I enjoy “Together” from my last series, “Into Passing.”

th: What’s next for you?

MP: I am currently working on a big art show for mid-2012. Another project is growing, also. It's going to be an explosion of art!

To see more of Michaels's art work visit www.michaelpageart.com.