Meet Michael Alan

Come take a trip into the spontaneous squiggly poppy world of Mike Alan. This NYC based artist’s unique eclectic style sets their work apart from anything I have seen in a long time. The freely formed lines and organic patterns make tracing through each one of their pieces a wild

experience. In our latest interview, we chat about all kinds of neat stuff. Give it a read and check out Mike’s Bandcamp where they make lovely tunes.

Would You Rather

all the glass in the world be made of stained glass, or every light in the world is replaced with a disco ball? Why?

rather see all the lights be made of natural light, or lights that don’t generate so much electricity. We are rocking our planet. It’s not even ours, we’re just guests. We have too much replacement of natural life. Stick a flag in the ground and call it mine.

Some questions with Michael Alan

Where do your illustrations usually start?

I chose to not do illustration when I was a kid. I didn't wanna draw something for something.
I Picked painting that led to fine art figurative abstraction, I was drawn to a surreal world. my work stems from old NYC punk, hip hop, graffiti roots, and my main work is fine line drawing-wild painting mixed with extreme details. "other”.

I know many illustrators that work hard on this as a job, I couldn’t take their credit. My work is more of a search and find standpoint of understanding the world the best I can. I dig deep and try and tap into the world around me, world feelings. I touch on what we feel as a whole, or what we dont feel. The work stems from wild melted letters to in your emotional portraits, color paintings, punk performance, mask making, print making, figure drawing, comedy art, political work, mostly activism for a better tomorrow.

Do you watch any reality TV shows?

Man those really make me rethink life to much. I watch the Walking Dead, that seems like reality now, and also how people are. My boy Norman Reedus hits it hard with the PUNK, Raw emotion acting! Great artist!

Are you self-taught?

Yes and no, I drew daily as a kid, through high school this was my life working in NYC nightclubs painting live and then I went to Hunter College for social politics and studied creative.

I eventually transferred to SVA (The School of Visual Arts) for fine arts. (You just did what you wanted) It was around 300 a class or something, very different times. It was basically a place for me to be, instead of running around NYC all night. I really liked it, having a studio. Made some cool friends. Peace to Peter Hirsolf, R.I.P Tim Rollins, and RIP the master artist Jack Whitten. It ended up I was asked to teach there, that was a TRIP, thanks Peter! I didn't even think I fit in, it seems that being a true NYC outsider was a voice worthy of a teacher.

What kind of narratives do you gravitate towards in your work?

Social change, the human condition, peace, war, color, body, animals, laughter, wild energy, calm energy, I try to hit it all, you only live once. Melted human animals!

What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?

Trattoria Pesca Pasta, in the village! Man oh man, I have my best memories as a kid with my mom and dad R.I.P. eating there, it’s where. I take my lady when we have some extra cash. The people are amazing, it’s one of the last glimpses into old NYC.

Where would be your dream venue to present a collection?

Something different then what we have going now. I think real change is needed in the arts. Things are too exclusive, also too judgmental. All the points of creativity are lost. I love a good show, but really been rethinking it all. So much, need, want, less help.

What do you think the effects of COVID 19 will be on the NYC art community?

4 percent of NYc have left already. More leaving. I sadly think many great mom and pops will have to go, then big corporations will take the land, some artists will take over its repeated in history. Many people can’t even eat and people are losing their homes. I had to give up my studio to go help my mom. I’m glad I did, now we can live together in NYC fully. I hope the people that really put work in get some shine. NYC definitely needs to lower prices on space, and chill out with the rocking the poor. Art needs to drop the attitude. On a positive Art always makes a change, but that voice is tainted by systemic issues. I wish everyone deep deep healing. In reality I speak for the unheard, the people getting sick, the hard workers, the elderly, the minorities, the people effected. So many.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

My IG is @michaelalanalien
My site is Www.michaelalanart.com
My bandcamp is michaelalanalien.bandcamp.com
michaelalanalien.bandcamp.com
Check my ladies page the living installation old NYC punk x hiphop mom and pop live sound x body altering installation project. on @thelivinginstallation

We have a upcoming movie x performance sat June 27th project uplift (tune in and tune in for the month and take a break from everything)

Michael Alan