Artist Bio
Los Angeles native Mike Stilkey has always been attracted to painting and drawing not only on vintage paper, record covers and book pages, but on the books themselves. Using a mix of ink, colored pencil, paint and lacquer, Stilkey depicts a melancholic and at times a whimsical cast of characters inhabiting ambiguous spaces and narratives of fantasy and fairy tales. A lingering sense of loss and longing hints at emotional depth and draws the viewer into their introspective thrall with a mixture of capricious poetry, wit, and mystery. His work is reminiscent of Weimar-era German expressionism and his style has been described by some as capturing features of artists ranging from Edward Gorey to Egon Schiele.
His work has been exhibited throughout the United States as well as internationally, at galleries and museums such as the Bristol City Museum in the UK, Bakersfield Museum Of Art in Bakersfield, CA, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa, AZ, Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco, CA, Kinsey/DesForges Gallery in Culver City, CA, David B. Smith Gallery in Denver, CO, Gilman Contemporary Gallery, Ketchum, ID, and Rice University Gallery, Houston, TX. He has also created numerous large-scale installations internationally, in Turin, Italy; Bern, Switzerland; Manila, Philippines; and Hong Kong and Beijing, China.
INTERVIEW
Artist: Mike Stilkey
Your sculptures are spread around the world, from public buildings to private collectors homes . What does success mean for you?
It means not having to work for someone else. As long as I’m creating and am able to survive off my art, I’m succeeding.
You are an avid reader. Can you remember how many books have you read? Once you finish reading do you convert them in an art piece?
I’m sure I’ve read hundreds, but honestly I have no idea. I have converted quite a few into art pieces, but I tend to hang on to the ones I love. I like to read the same book over once in a while as well.
You said once: “The book is dying,” Is it a way to immortalize them?
Absolutely. I mean, I’ve literally pulled thousands of unwanted books out of dumpsters. I feel like this is my way of giving them a second life.
Anthropomorphism is present in most of your work. Is well know your love for animals but lets talk about horses …
When I was a kid my parents rode horses. I would hang out with the horses, talk to the horses, but I had no interest in riding them. Such personality and soul these creatures have. I was eventually talked into going on my first horse ride. The stable that rented them ran out of horses so I had to ride a mule. We had to follow a trail along the side of the mountain with a 100 foot drop, and my mule would stop and stick his head off the side of the mountain to eat grass. That was the first and last time I ever got on a mule, horse, or pretty much any animal.
You left behind a hard childhood. Who is today Mike Stillkey?
Father, husband, pool player, record collector, vegan, the same guy I’ve always been but with more grey hair.
“Discarded Romance” is lady with deep look holding a pink male cat. Who is that lady? (Mother, wife…)
This would be my wife Elizabeth. We had 4 cats at the time I painted this. It pretty much summed up our life at the time. The title, “Discarded Romance,” held a double meaning. Not only were these discarded romance novels from the libraries, it was also our love for the feral cats we would rescue.
How do you choose which books to use for a particular painting ?
I’m really drawn to three different things related to the books: the color, the texture, or the title. The titles are most important to me because they’re usually telling another story alongside the painting I’m making. I love playing with words.
Is it true that the best art comes when artists are sad?
This is certainly true for me. When I’m feeling down, my work just flows like water. All I have to do is follow the feelings and somehow it translates to art, it’s like sad magic.
What music do you hear while painting?
It depends on what I’m painting and what mood I’m in at the time. It ranges from Chopin to Slayer. I have a fairly diverse taste in music. I listen to a lot of jazz, punk rock, psychedelic, and good old classic rock.
Some people get upset because you use books to make art. Tell me a funny anecdote you had while installing.
I had a lady in her 70’s once tell me that painting on books was a sin and that I should find a home for them. I told her that I got these from a dumpster and that no one wanted them. She said she didn’t care and that they needed to go somewhere. I asked her if she wanted them. She replied that she didn’t have room for them, and walked off. Ha, I love people!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To fly.
What do you love more, to paint or to play pool?
I love them equally. Both require so much concentration. It’s the constant challenge that keeps them interesting.
Your favorite quote is …
“Responsibility is a heavy responsibility.” Cheech Marin
You have been recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos what did you take from that experience?
It was incredible to be surrounded by people who are making a difference in the world. It was truly inspiring and it changed the way I think about the impact I can have as an artist. I feel like I can play a different role and that I can also make a difference.
What is your dream creative project?
I have fantasies of making a film with my friends – a film filled with art and music. I’ve also always dreamt of having a massive painting show at MOCA in Los Angeles..
Creatively, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
I hope I’ll have a long gray beard and look like a wizard. I will have made a movie, recorded an album, and still be painting as much as I am now.
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