Ethan Michael
Artist’s bio
Family man, artist, and songwriter. Ethan spends his time creatively treading through uncharted territory. Whether it’s decorative wood-burning, painting, sculpting, or finger picking a 12-string, he’s always searching for an untapped well that is recessed somewhere beyond the known regions of his wandering mind. Born and raised in the hills of Southern Ohio, Ethan naturally gravitated towards the deep-rooted craftsmanship of regional culture, which was mostly influenced by his Uncle Terry. These days he puts quite an unusual twist on the traditional approach to creating wooden folk art. His artistic vision takes on the callused, hands-on method to a surrealistic realm that is usually relatable, but always otherworldly. You could say Ethan’s mind is a place where Appalachian art and the psychedelic collide in chaotic harmony.
Artist’s statement
always try to adhere to one major philosophy, which is keep myself out of my comfort zone. I never regret pushing my personal boundaries when delving into a project.
I’m very grateful for the people that have been instrumental in blazing the trails of my various creative directions. First and foremost, the gifted attributes that I inherited from my parents have been efficiently harnessed, in recent years, as to become asset which are prized beyond measure. Next, I look back to my childhood and I realize just how crucial my grandparents were in my artistic development. My earliest memories of drawing are of my maternal grandma (Wylodine) teaching me how to “doodle” on old church bulletins. My maternal grandfather (Dale) would bestow the skill set needed to adequately work with my hands. Then, there’s Arizona. My paternal grandparents moved to the outskirts of Tucson when I was a child, and my mind would never be the same. Grandma would take us to the Mecca of the art world in the Southwest... Sedona. The majestic visuals of the Arizona landscape were justly represented by the local art community. I feel destined to go back someday and be a part of that sacred scene. My intense passion for music certainly came from my Grandfather’s Welsh heritage, but it was my (Aussie born) grandma Lorraine’s love for the most vibrant colors that comes out in nearly every piece that I create.
