The Rockstars of Art Open Their Doors

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Every turn finds another acquaintance greeting Mikie with a smile. As looming and exclusive as the artist colony seemed at first, it's transforming magnanimously before me. Though deep in the urban center of one of the world's largest cities, I feel the quaintness and familiarity of a small town. "Mikie," one guy says as we're right outside his door. "I need to talk to you about a light." He may as well be asking to borrow a cup of sugar, and Mikie doesn't hesitate to say yes./p>

Inside, I deign to sit and proceed with the interview when a guy comes in wearing an Affliction T-shirt and a cap that almost, but not quite, conceals his mohawk. If Mikie's a guitarist, then this guy's the lead singer. After seeing that Mikie has company, he gives him a quick, hearty hug then heads out. Mikie smiles and says, "That's Dave Lefner -- he's about to blow up."

I start to think Mikie's modesty is preventing me from exploring his own work. I take a moment to look at the pieces on the wall. It's photography, but not quite. No camera could capture these images. There's a pervading mood in Mikie's photos that's emotionally charged, brooding, and at times serene. Almost sepia, the collection features gnarled trees and brush-covered shacks in open fields -- images before processing that wouldn't garner much attention, but Mikie elevates them to the status of art through his unique post-produciton methods.

He shoots everything on polaroid film using a speed Graflex camera from the 1950's. He then alters the negatives using tools that include sandpaper, steel wool, and hammers. Next, he scans the negatives into his computer and assembles the images into a final piece that he prints in limited editions. The result is an engrossing collection of landscapes and still lifes, each striking and surreal. The photos have an expressionist quality, as they are not direct translations of reality, but rather interpretations. The tree piece haunts me. It is like the derivation of a childhood memory, a place fleeting and now gone.

"Everyone sees something different," Mikie tells me. "Art is about stirring an emotion. I create a bond with another person through my photos."

Mikie loves life and art equally; his work is an extension of himself. So much so, that when buyers purchase his work, he personally hangs the pieces in their homes. To Mikie, art is more than just expression, more than aesthetic; art is bonding. And what's unique about the Brewery is its humanity, a closeness among people in tune with life and community. Here the artists enjoy a wellspring of inspiration and motivation. Whatever their medium, they share a creative energy, a summary professionalism, and a natural respect of their fellow artists.

Of course the Brewery Art Walk is worth going to for the art, which is spectacular, varied, and always brilliant But once there, one finds so much more: See where artists live, where they create. Meet them, hang out with them, party with them. After all, you only get two times a year to live like an artist.

The Brewery Art Walk is Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. For directions, a list of participating artists, and general information visit breweryartwalk.com.

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