We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Christopher 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 art skills have supported me most of my life combined with tremendous struggles. I dropped out of the ninth grade and at 18 I was a shop foreman at Neon Specialist in Richardson, TX. It was a beautiful journey and the skills I learned I utilize every day. Study, study, study. In my 30s, I earned an academic full scholarship to Southern Methodist University: the exposure to art precedent, disciplines and techniques was what I needed. That experience really made me a metal sculptor. My latest major milestone is, I am 5 years into my studio and residence in west Texas. I am focused on my beekeeping, glassblowing, metal, ceramics and garden. I have gratitude for the journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Currently, neon glassblowing has consumed a large part of my business. I started blowing glass at 16 and it was easy to step up and do it when the business got hot again. In the last year I completed 5 monumental neon pieces throughout Texas. I also do monumental metal projects and I am working on 8′ steel sunshades with etched designs and cutouts in them. I feel my interdisciplinary training has provided me with unique problem-solving abilities and experience has taught me to see the easiest and least complex solution.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The last time I was evicted, I did not quit my dream or even consider it. I left town, moved to west Texas, started a new studio and things have never been better. I feel like I am doing something real with my life.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I use social media extensively to get out my art and promote my bees. I produce glassblowing, metal, drawing and bee videos and post them across germane platforms. Artists need to share their processes and their stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: mcmsculpture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcmsculpture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcmsculptor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcm-44ab10a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3QWmKorLfugc_t-090Mcag