Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cary Michael Robinson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cary Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
As an artist who identifies racially as an African American, who (in certain instances) have been deemed too light skinned to completely identify as “Black” and too dark skinned to completely relate with my non-Black counterparts, there have been times where both my identity and my work have been mischaracterized. As a result, there have been instances where I’ve been led to feel less-than, inadequate, and unaccepted since the artwork I produce (which is a reflection of MY truth) doesn’t particularly identify with the stereotypical narrative society seems to have created to serve as the epitome of an archetype African American male. I’ve encountered people who seem to believe that every African American male has a “struggle” story, and that their success can ONLY be attributed to the hardships they’ve had to endure. While I am by no means perfect, I’ve been fortunate to have grown up in the middle-upper class, had a father who was present in my life until his passing when I was age 30, and by the grace of God, have been able to navigate through life bearing the essential necessities that some of my colleagues were fully deprived of. Therefore, I don’t particularly believe that the “struggle” story narrative or the “starving artist” stamp apply to me, and because I choose to operate with empathy, I often feel compelled to illustrate the experiences of my friends and colleagues through my artistry. Consequently, there have been times where I’ve felt that my artwork isn’t deemed credible enough or that my journey hasn’t been compelling enough because it doesn’t reflect me (directly), and because it doesn’t reflect the roadmap that is most commonly illustrated when referring to a Black artist who produces “Black” art.
To those who’ve ever felt like they always have to do more than enough to still feel less-than and get halfway acknowledged/considered, and to those whom always feel as if they constantly tend to get the short end of the stick (in relationships, friendships, professional endeavors, etc.) realize that you MATTER and YOUR story MATTERS – no matter how anyone else perceives the situation.
Cary Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, my government name is Cary Michael Robinson, but I prefer “Cary Michael” in the realm of art. I am a native of Mobile, Alabama (the “dirty” south, and the ORIGINAL home of Mardi Gras), now based in Washington D.C. I began my college career in electrical engineering at Tuskegee University, before boldly pursuing a career and art and design, in which I earned a BS in Fine Arts from Florida A&M University and MA in Design Management from Savannah College of Art and Design. While at Florida A&M, I served as Founder and President of the FAMU Fine Arts Society while working as a graphic artist for Tallahassee’s Brogran Museum.
In 2018, I founded Artbae (“Art Before Anything Else”) – an award-winning arts education, advocacy and events organization based in Washington D.C. Artbae facilitates “sip and paint” events, group and intimate paint parties, art therapy events and unique art buying opportunities for professionals, residents and visitors in the Washington D.C. and greater DMV area.
One of our biggest accomplishments took place in 2020, where Artbae was named Emerging Creative Winner in Washington D.C.’s 35th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. In 2021, we received the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) Artist Fellowship grant, and as of 2022, Artbae has been awarded with grants from the National Black Arts Project Relief Fund as well as the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
In addition to my work with Artbae, I also serve as Design Examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Studio Artist at the Creative Saints Loft in Hyattsville, MD and Welcome Team Ministry volunteer at Zion Church in both Greenbelt and Landover, MD. In recent years, I’ve served as both mentor and creative facilitator for Best Kids, Inc., a Washington D.C.-based non-profit committed to empowering foster youth in the D.C. area, as well as the YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
My artwork has been featured in the 2016 BET Awards, Harlem Fine Arts Show, the African American Civil War Museum and various other exhibits, including permanent collections, throughout the Washington D.C. metro area, New York, New Jersey, Alabama and Florida. In my downtime, I enjoy planning events and exhibitions that inspire courage – and am passionate about promoting equity and sustainable living, and improving the overall quality of life for all through the effective use of creativity in all endeavors.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, the best way to support artists and creatives is to 1) Respect our craft – we live in a world where art is a part of our daily lives: the designs of the cars we drive, the app designs on our cell phones, the logos and branding of our favorite clothes and restaurants – yet, people don’t seem to believe that the arts play an important role in society. As a result, there’s not enough advocates of art in board rooms where important decisions are being made, and there seems to be a drive to remove the “A” from “STEAM”. As someone who is affiliated with the arts, please encourage others to have a greater public appreciation of artists and creatives – the driving force behind advertising and marketing, and the reason why a lot of businesses were able to thrive beyond the pandemic, as they all had to rely on “creativity” to sustain their businesses.
2) Invest in our craft – buy directly from artists e-commerce channels, stream artists’ work, set up a commission with your favorite artist, and if you are able, donate to the arts
3) Support our craft – participate in online or on-site art classes, attend exhibits, events and art programs (especially if they’re FREE), tune-in to our livestreams, and most of all, spread the word about our work online and within your network
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a artist is that you can always create your own path and design your own destiny. As an independent artist, we have the ability to use our platform to visualize the realities of today, and preserve it in history within a tangible product. As a design patent examiner, where I am responsible for promoting the progress of science and the useful artists, I get a sense of fulfillment knowing that I am helping to contribute to our national economy by ensuring certainty of patent rights and enabling the nation’s innovative spirit to prosper. And lastly, as a child of God, and by allowing people to encounter my imagination in an effort to promote peace and healing, knowing that my artistry is helping to create a positive impact, serves as one of the most rewarding experiences an artist can ask for.
Contact Info:
- Website: carymichael.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.
com/carymichael_ - Facebook: facebook.com/
carymichaelart - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/carymichael/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
CaryMichael_ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCZWYrgg6Mmpl6AfQZoszqag - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
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