Fine Art That Flies Underneath the Radar:

Have You Ever Thought About? Series #2

In the first of our Have You Ever Thought About? series, we found that Thesaurus defines ART as Assisted Reproductive Technology. Expanding upon this I went to the Encarta Dictionary (North America) in order to research the meaning of "FINE ART" and was defined as follows; 1. Creation of beautiful objects - art that is meant to be appreciated for its own sake, rather than to serve some useful function. 2. College course in art designed to teach students practical artistic skills, as well as theory and history. 3. Pure art - any art form that is considered to have purely aesthetic value such as painting, sculpture, architecture, drawing, or engraving. 4. Impressively detailed technique - something that requires great skill, talent, or precision.

Fine Art That Flies Underneath the Radar

As a direct result of February's article on air brush painting and purely because I wanted to open new windows, as far as our creative artistic abilities are concerned, something really astounding happened. We were contacted by one of our valued FAR® members who, just incidentally, happened to be an airbrush artist. Mike Royall was very appreciative that we reported on this decidedly less than valued form of art and gave it the recognition it so richly deserves. Mike invited us to an exhibition that he and his fellow airbrush and pinstripe artists were hosting to benefit The 100 Club. (The 100 Club of Arizona recognizes how important it is to honor and/or remember those who have dedicated their lives to serving the men and women of Arizona.) Several of the FAR team, myself included, gathered up the cameras and set off to attend the airbrush/pinstripe artist's show. Not having any idea of what to expect and to be perfectly candid, not anticipating too much of interest, we walked into a world of artistic talent that was breathtaking.

Everything from the smallest nail head to automobiles and beyond served as their "canvases". Their imaginations knew no limit and their collective camaraderie was that of "hail fellows well met". It was an atmosphere of a gregarious social club but at the same time working various kinds of magic on their choice of "canvas". We were impressed by the extraordinary method that the artists used to challenge each other into excelling in their collective endeavors. Sometimes chiding and unexpected slaps on the back, all meant to steel their nerves and to keep their undivided attention on the work in progress, regardless of what was occurring about them. Mike was kind enough to clarify for us that this was one of the ways that the airbrush/pinstripe artists utilize to spur each other on to grander creations. All of the artists were eager to talk about their art and to show their appreciation of each other's accomplishments. Young children that attended watched in awe and were patiently encouraged to learn from each artist as they created their compositions. As we wandered around the large "shop" we struck up conversations that opened our collective eyes to a form of art that, unfortunately, lacks respect and recognition from the traditional art world.

A story was related to us of an air brush artist that entered his composition in a fine art contest. The artwork progressed to be third in consideration for the 1st Place Award. The judges learned that it was painted with an airbrush and thus immediately disqualified the painting and the artist. This, to my way of thinking, smacks of an elitist closed mind that apparently has not taken into consideration the above mentioned definition of the meaning of FINE ART. The reason the judges used to prohibit the painting was that the artist's hand/paintbrush never touched the canvas. Ignorance of art and the artist is certainly apparent in this instance. The creative mind of the person/artist operating either the paintbrush or the air brush needle and then transferring his/her thoughts to the canvas or whatever serves as a means to display the composition, are one in the same in my humble opinion. It's just plain common sense.

Mike Royal began his career at a very early age. His Father, a fine artist in his own right, air brush painted motorcycles and traveled to auto shows with Mike always at his side. With great admiration he would watch him air brush paint, knowing that someday he wanted to follow in his Father's footsteps. This was a dream that Mike fulfilled at the tender age of 12 when his Father brought home an air brush for him. Mike began painting Tee shirt's for his friends and ultimately making a good living at it, even surpassing his Father's income at the time. Mike's father was forced to discontinue his air brush art due to poor health and at this point he began painting on canvas, with an engrossed Mike at his side for hours on end.

To this very day he still maintains his special artistic touch with Tee shirts, as well as his other larger works of fine art, by maintaining a retail shop in a large mall located in Phoenix, AZ. He has one employee, Jack LeDuke, also an airbrush artist that has worked with Mike for the last seven years. He is in the process of converting space in his store that will serve as a gallery for not only his work but that of his Father's and Jack LeDuke's artwork.

Mike is a self-taught artist that seldom, if ever, sketches his work before he paints and the ultimate outcome is quite breathtaking. One of his signature qualities is to hide within his compositions certain elements that conceal mysterious messages. Mike did receive his education in art from Collins College in Tempe, AZ, but there is little doubt that his natural talent has taken him far beyond formal education. After thirty two years of performing his astonishing, appealing art, he now is regarded by his colleagues and customers alike as one of the finest air brush artists in the Nation. (See Mike's artist video series)

Truckin' Magazine interviewed Mike for the April 1st, 2010 edition. In this periodical, one of his artistic masterpieces appears on an SUV that will be featured in a National car show. The artwork appears not only on the exterior, but on the engine and the interior, indeed a huge undertaking. The FAR team had the privilege of viewing this very car at the exhibition that we attended and were very much impressed by such fine art displayed on wheels.

Mike is man with a heart as large as all outdoors and has generously shared his vast talent with young children who are most in need of attention, those that are suffering from varied illnesses at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. He designed a coloring book specifically for the children and they were delighted at his sharing his art with them. This touched him deeply, another reason why he is so willing to share what he knows about his air brush art with young and old alike.

Mike is currently in the process of working with one of our Fine Art Registry® valued members, Josie Taglienti, to begin holding seminars and offering classes in this amazing art form.

Mike Royall has the vision to take his considerable artistic talent of air brush painting to another level and to his credit, made the decision to register and tag his work with Fine Art Registry. Because of his foresight we are discovering a body of artists that should be acknowledged for their astonishing diversity. Many of the airbrush/pinstripe artists are concerned for the survival of the art form itself. The younger generation is either not aware of the airbrush art or has no mentor to instruct them. Computer generated art is taking over and what a great loss it would be to see this art form fade away for lack of exposure and education. The airbrush artists fly subtlety beneath the radar and the FAR team would very much like to assist them in soaring to heights that they justifiably deserve.

— by Fine Art Registry®  |  February 26, 2010

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