Michael J.Bollinger-Information About Artist

Michael Bollinger is a self taught artist who was born in Richmond, Virginia and has been active creating art since the age of three. A dental technician by trade, he has been painting murals, producing flyers, underground comics and newspapers, sculpting, amateur film making, and canvas painting throughout his career. Inspired at a young age by popular images that surrounded him (such as Donald Duck, the art of Jack Kirby and deck graphics on skate boards), his work has had an underlying cartoonish and detailed current.

Michael sold his first piece of work through a gallery in 1995 and has been focusing on acrylic on canvas ever since. He attended the Virginia Commonwealth University school of art briefly but was unable to continue his studies due to an illness which caused him to be hospitalized. After recovery, and knowing what was lost, he studied his favorite artists (Dali, Durer, Van Gogh and R.Crumb) with feverish intent using bios, books and trips to the National Art Gallery.

Although his work is not part of any permanent collection, his desire is to one day focus more on abstract renderings of the human body and eventually on line art and living art (much like the living theater).

A Word From Michael

I have this insatiable urge to use art for whatever means necessary, escapism, communication, or just to spend time doing something productive. One of the best parts about painting is the therapeutic aspect of the process, plus no commercials. Putting ideas into a real evident form (on paper) seems to give one a sense of control and it's a cool way to express yourself. If a situation sparks or provokes inspiration for anyone to build or create, even if it starts out destructive, it's leading to an emotional release that is creative and healthy. This means everything. I once had what I would have considered a terrible day, but after sitting down and sketching for an hour, I felt like Steve McQueen.

I like to inject humor into my work, even into the most passionate and darkest of ideas. It always gives a painting an added dimension that says nothing is sacred. I also keep in mind that no one really cares at the end of the day about your silly artwork (everything has been done). This allows me to realize that it is the process which is meaningful (and the moments between).

The foundation of my work revolves around fantasy, expression, and out of place objects. Although most of my work can come across as simplistic, hopefully the viewer can find a hidden theme somewhere, and have some fun viewing them.

I would like to thank all who create and inspire (you know who you are).

"! will try to be a correct animal and if you throw me a bone with enough meat on it I may even lick your hand." F. Scott Fitzgerald

"This is not the war of our fathers...Our war is the spiritual war. Our great depression is our lives." Chuck Palahniuk

I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." Vincent Van Gogh

"Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results, but first you have to believe." Mark Victor Hansen