Art & Life with Michael Small

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Small.

Michael, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Art has always been easy for me. I’ve done everything from making spoon rings and ceramics to what I call “Gar-bots” – robots made from garbage – but drawing has always been my one constant. Not just drawing but doodling. As a kid, my parents encouraged my sisters and me to make things and try to sell them at local weekend art shows, but I never dreamed of making it a career. I would create doodle drawings and just give them to my friends and family. I kind of abandoned it as I pursued a career in the engineering world, and then technical sales, which is still my day job. About 15 years ago, my sister Susan was managing a gallery in Las Vegas at the Art Factory. She sort of pulled me in on a dare for a show dedicated to small works of art. I submitted some doodle drawings, she sold some and boom! I had the art bug again.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
While doodling has always been my one artistic constant, I’m currently enjoying making “Gar-bots” and upcycling vintage mid-century radios and record players into Bluetooth furniture pieces. Both allow me to use my creativity as well as my technical skills. It’s fun to take something that’s broken or basically a pile of junk and breath life back into it to the point that someone (besides me) loves it and wants it for their home. I’m probably my own biggest critic, taking too much time on each piece until it’s something that I would personally want to own, but hey, that’s just me. It also makes it sometimes difficult to let some pieces go. Our society today creates too much trash! I hope my pieces offer a message of recycling and reuse; plus, they’re just cool! 🙂

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
Life is almost always difficult for artists. Part of that is because art is so subjective. It’s also hard to find the right space to display and possibly sell your work. Social media is a game changer! And in recent years, regular First Friday events sponsored in many cities have created a fun atmosphere for artists get out there and display their work.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My Bluetooth pieces can currently be seen on Instagram at @midmodmade and at Modern Manor in the Phoenix Melrose district. The Gar-bots are currently seeking a new home gallery and can only be seen on Instagram at @Garbot1.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @midmodmade or @garbot1

Image Credit:
Nicole Small

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