Q&A: Michele Mikesell

What inspired you to create Dichotomy?

Dichotomy is a continuation of a general theme I have worked with for sometime now, comparing and contrasting human characteristics with animal instinct. In the past I have worked with animals’ heads on human bodies, allowing the viewer to decide if they were looking at animals masquerading as humans, or humans masquerading as animals. In this chapter or series - I took the opportunity to more clearly define the human figure wearing animal costumes, in some using vintage photographs to clearly define real people as well as more stylized realistic depictions of the painted parts of human faces.

Who are the subjects of your paintings and what made you choose them?
The subjects in my paintings are always a metaphor for people in our community and society. No matter who or what I am painting, I hope to be creating individuals we can all relate too, characters we recognize and that are familiar to us, personality traits and emotions that we recognize in others and in ourselves.  

Does your work carry a particular message?
By creating these singular portraits, I am comparing and contrasting animals and humans. I am speaking collectively about all of us - and how universally we are all the same, in that we share this human experience.  

For details about the exhibition see:  http://www.thebigchilli.com/a1010-dichotomy 

About the artist
Mikesell is a Dallas Artist who lives and works in Oak Cliff and is currently represented by Chiaroscuro, Sante Fe; JRB Gallery, Oklahoma City; Alan Avery Art Company, Atlanta; DECORAZON Gallery in Dallas/ London, and La Lanta Fine Art in Bangkok.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in graphic design from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas; and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Mikesell’s work can be found internationally
in many private and corporate collections, and has been exhibited in many National and International Art Fairs including, Miami Art Basel, The Suite Art Fair Dallas, Red Dot London, Art Santa Fe, and the Affordable Art Fairs - New York City; London Battersea Park; and Singapore.