We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Hall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

My journey as a professional artist started over 30 years ago when I had my first show, prior to which I spent three years of steadily learning my craft and prior to that achieving a BA in Fine Arts. At my first show I sold seven paintings and from that day forward I have paid all of my bills, travel expenses, show expenses, etc. through the sales of my artworks. I think the key to earning a living as a fine artist is several things. First, you must have a good product. Art may be something that someone acquires through an emotional response, but they are unlikely to acquire it if it doesn’t touch them in some way through its beauty or political statement or ugliness and the like, as well as its composition and form. So my suggestion is to take an objective look at the artworks you create and always put the best of the best in the reach of the public.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been in the business of art because being a painter chose me. When I was in my 20’s I had a serious car accident and when I was in the hospital a friend handed me a watercolor set knowing I loved to draw and paint. The moment I started to use it, it was like a lightbulb went off in my mind and heart and I knew that I was meant to pursue my art professionally. I did not know how or when exactly this was going to take place. I just knew as challenging as this seemed that it was what I was meant to do. When I’ve had doubts about my own career or been in a dark place that same lightbulb has gone off many times.

Over the years, I have developed many times over a diversified line of creative works, mostly original paintings on canvas. I have been blessed with over 7,000 sales of my artworks throughout the world. While many of my artworks have sold through galleries over the years and I never have the opportunity to actually meet the person(s) acquiring them, one of my greatest joys is when I do have the opportunity to meet my clients is assisting them with the vision that they have for an environment where my paintings will hang. There is nothing like watching the excitement they experience when together we see the finished product on their walls. So, whether it is a painting that has a musical theme or a pure abstract expressionist work I am always astounded and grateful that others have found so much joy in the works I create.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, art of any kind, from a beautiful musical score to a movie that has a profound effect and, of course, a magnificent painting that sets your heart on fire is an extraordinary, life-changing part of our culture. Therefore, my feeling is that society, as a whole, should support this expression of mankind in a myriad of emotional, financial, and spiritual ways. There should be no hesitation to think art is as important as any other avenues of human development. While artworks do not necessarily feed people in the way that food does they do feed the soul. Art also is, for the most part, promoting goodwill, inclusion, and harmony amongst men of all nations which ultimately does not only provide food for the soul but causes an attitude of brotherhood which leads to food on a more literal scale for humanity as a whole.

More specifically society can create more government support of the arts, opportunities for art through community outreach, and in general support of creative projects and individuals through increased grants, stipends, etc.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

What comes to mind is that during the COVID years it became necessary (as it did for many people) for me to stay home and not expose myself to the virus. This also was the case with many of my clients. Any shows, gallery exhibitions, etc were canceled and several of the galleries representing my work closed their doors. As a result, while I worked constantly during this time creating art and I did make some sales through social media. I did not have the opportunity to sell my paintings through the channels I normally would. But because I continued to work (even if I did get bored staying at home at times) I created a magnificent body of works and was able to find a wonderful pop up gallery in Old Town Pasadena through which I sold over 50 original paintings once the COVID scare was more minimal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michaelhallfineart.com/
• Instagram: michaelhallfineart

Image Credits
Please let us know if the images sent in high resolution. We want to ensure that the images will look their very best for the magazine.