Defying Artistic Boundaries

By Steph Moore

Worcester native Mike McMenemy is one of those rare artists whose talents transcend any specific genre, yet encompass many. His oil paintings (displayed on the walls of uber-popular eatery Bocado on Worcester’s Winter Street) are reminiscent of the dark, lush style of Spanish painters from the 1800s, bordering on both realism and stylization and mixing classic with modern themes. His comic strip drawings for “Bar Fly” (seen in Blank Canvas magazine) are hip and youthful. And looking at his exquisite Chinese ink sketches, you’d never guess that this Pratt Institute graduate is also responsible for the intricate wood designs on guitars from JMP Guitars (featured in this issue) and the graphic design and layout for Worcester Movies Weekly. Mike’s transition from paintbrush to pen to pencil to keyboard seems effortless, and his work shows a depth not often found in so young an artist. I got a chance to talk with Mike (and see some of his new works in progress) while he was working in his home studio.

Pulse: So let’s start from the beginning. When did you know that you’d pursue art as a passion and career, not just as a hobby? And did you ever second-guess that decision?

Michael: Even early on I was certain that artwork was what I wanted to do for a living, but figuring out how to make a living at it has been tough. I spent a lot more time working on my techniques than I did on learning to be a businessman…so there’s definitely been a lot of second-guessing surrounding the art-as-a-career decision. But since we spend about two thirds of our lives at work, why shouldn’t I keep trying to spend that time doing what I love? I’ve accepted the fact that at least for a while I’ll have to do something in addition to artwork in order to make ends meet, but I don’t think it will be that way forever.

Pulse: Most artists have one style/medium that seems to suit them best, whether it’s painting, sculpture, etc. But you seem to be equally comfortable with a variety of styles. How does that happen?

I’m not completely sure, and part of it may actually be from that uncertainty and from approaching projects with a little irreverence. I’m fairly confident in my drawing ability and from there I just take a project and play with it until it seems right to me. I also like to look at as many other artists’ works as possible while I’m working with a given subject. You can get a lot of great ideas and inspiration for something new and unique by studying what’s already been done. For instance, in the Bullfighter series at Bocado I not only looked at classical art and photo reference, but at some Post Modern art for my colors and some contemporaries and Futurists for how they depict motion. I’d never be able to choose which one of those that I like the best, so why not mix it all up and create something I’d feel was more my own?

Pulse: Alright ~ so what inspires you most?

Ever since my marker and crayon days I’ve enjoyed drawing people, especially faces. When you think about it, the human form has been inspiring artists for centuries… I spend time just people watching and usually I’ll see someone doing something interesting and it’s fun to either draw it right then or try to remember it for later ~ a pose, even a look or gesture. Drawing unwitting models can be tricky, though, since it can lead to a lot of awkward eye contact…but I’m pretty sure it’s still totally legal… it is, isn’t it?

Pulse: Do you keep an eye on new art trends…materials…techniques?

Well, I’m guilty of living in my own world a lot of the time and should probably pay more attention. I’ve been picking up some digital art techniques lately, though. But when you get down to it I’m just an old-fashioned artist who wants to look at paintings or drawings or prints and try to figure out what the artist was thinking and how he or she managed to get a certain effect… and then explore that in my own work. Bottom line, I’d rather use charcoal, paint or ink than a mouse and computer screen.

Pulse: Is there a particular piece of art or artist that stands out in your mind as simply the most significant of all time?

Hmmm… No, I can’t really boil it down to just one…but if I absolutely had to, I’d pick the Japanese artist/printmaker Hokusai as the most influential. He loved to draw and it shows, although he claimed that he never made any good drawings until after age 80, and thought that if only he could live another 80 years he might make some excellent ones.

Pulse: As an artist, what does it do to your sense of creativity when you have to work on someone else’s deadline?

It makes it a little harder to relax and enjoy “the process,” but a little pressure does wonders for my motivation. Otherwise, I could turn into a horrible procrastinator while “waiting for my inspiration.” And although deadlines can be blamed for a little sleep deprivation from time to time, I don’t think they’ve ever done permanent damage!

Pulse: Do you ever come up against the equivalent of writer’s block? And what snaps you out of it?

All of the time, definitely. I find that if I bring it back to my drawing and just keep sketching and messing around, eventually I’ll end up with something I like. Taking breaks can be all right, too… But I’d recommend looking at your favorite artist’s work and just taking in whatever it is about that person’s works and ideas that got you going in the first place. Or even exploring another creative outlets can help ~ playing some music, working out, even writing can help break the slump.

Pulse: Do you remember what it felt like when you sold your first piece of art?

Honestly, I probably thought something like, “Man, I should’ve asked for more!” Actually there’s some truth to that because when I was younger I was extremely attached to my artwork. I really didn’t want to part with pieces because of the effort that had gone into each one. It felt like no amount of money was as valuable as that. It’s pretty ridiculous but I remember someone at a restaurant trying to buy something I’d drawn on a placemat once and I absolutely refused to let it go. Now, having realized how many drawings and images I’ve created and how many of them might just end up in a stack in my basement, I’ve had to let that go in the interest of, well, growing up, saving space, and paying bills.

Pulse: And now for the future…what’s in store for you?

Well, I’d like to keep spending time as much time as possible on my artwork and on finding opportunities to show it. The artwork at Bocado has been very well received and that’s been very encouraging. I’m planning on working on a few comics over the next few months with my friend, writer Pablo Guerra. We’ll be doing a few stories that should appeal to a lot of people. I’ll also continue to submit Bar Fly comics and illustrations to Blank Canvas magazine, so all that will keep me pretty busy! After that, who knows? I’m open to pretty much anything from here.

To contact Mike about commissioning a piece of work, email him at Mcmenemy.m@gmail.com or call (508) 795 – 1926

Pulse Magazine is proud to have Michael McMenemy as part of its Graphic Arts Department.