Lewis Acrylics - Fine Art & Illustration


News

It has been a long long time since I have updated the News section of my website. There is a number of projects in the works. Illustration in Portland, Maine has really picked up. My fine art projects are also getting bigger and better. At the same time the standard offerings that I have created over the years are still being made and are most notably available through the Etsy shop which is linked by the squid to the left.

Bard Coffee

I have to lead off with Bard Coffee. Jeremy and Brittany at Bard Coffee have helped me immensely in getting established here in Portland. I am currently creating monthly posters for Bard Coffee's Thursday Night Throwdown. It has been a wonderful opportunity to push my characters and provide a little more exposure in my local area. There is also a t-shirt design in the works for the same shop. The Thursday night Throwdown has a small web presence here. I have been able to work with my hand drawn type and really create a distinct poster language which I work in. It has been a great experience.

The Studio

I had the privilege of meeting a Twitter friend, Melissa McCarthy two summers ago. Her small studio based shop has evolved from a personal interest to a venue with edgy and contemporary shows and events. Last fall I created an installation entitled "Love Me", which was a four day long install open to the public. The show led to my first ever write up in the local paper. I was very pleased. As a follow up this summer, I have teamed up with my former boss, Chef Michael Beers, in order to create an exhibition entitled, "I shall not Want." It will be a show revolving around themes of Christianity, the Last Supper, and the religious iconography that has been developed over the past 2,000 years. It will be the maiden voyage of Speakeasy Dining, a history/cooking project which the chef and I have been developing over the past month. Our show will open August 9th in tandem with the Laconia, NH Farmer's Market and with live music from Walter Mitty and his Makeshift Orchestra. The show closes on August 31st with a seven course meal highlighting specific moments and symbols in the Christian belief system. The show is sure to be irreverant, but not blasphemy. You can check out more from The Studio's website to keep up to date on the other range of awesome shows and events that Melissa is putting together.

Superprecious Gallery

My friend Monkey Chow contacted me about being involved with a Boston, MA based project, Superprecious Gallery. The gallery is mostly an online venue, but appears to be popping up here and there around the Boston area. Prints of each image are available for a smooth 20 bucks. The current show is a Beer and Bacon theme. Later this summer there will be a Summer Blockbuster Themed show as well.

The Billboard Art Project

This past fall I was included in the Billboard Art Project's New Orlean's venue. I flew my photographer friend, Julie K. Gray, and myself down to New Orleans to see my work on a billboard next to the Superdome. She took a number of photos for me which has resulted in me being included in a couple small group shows and in my acceptance to the DownStreet Arts Mural Project in North Adams, MA. There will definitely be more to come on the DownStreets Arts Project, but currently I am still in sketch stages. The Billboard Project made me realize how few limits there really are in the art world. Look for much bigger projects from me in the coming years.

You Are Awesome

Using my graduating MFA class from MeCA as the catalyst, I have begun a project called, "You are Awesome." The tendency of individuals to avoid being overly affectionate with one another has gone a little too far. People do not tell others what they mean to each other. I think this is a tragedy. There is always that chance that something may happen where you cannot express to another what they do, in fact, mean to you. With this in mind I began to make a trading card sized piece for the individuals in my life who have made a difference for me. On the back, in place of baseball stats, I have written out why I the individual is important to me, ending with the line "You are Awesome" and my signature. I intend to document the front of each and create a small book through your Lulu or Blurb type sights to make available for everyone to own. It is a very humbling project and one that I feel very strongly about.

A Little More About Mike


Mike lives and works in Maine with his cat, Cedric. He is an avid bike rider, an extreme music nerd, and a comic book geek. If you'd like to know more about his art, his craft, or are just plain curious as to who this guy is that draws birds wearing headphones you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. The links are to your left.

Thanks for stopping by.
Peace.
-Mike