Mike Meister

“(not actual size)"

May 6 - End of June 2011
Helen DeVitt Jones Studio Gallery

Mike Meister started college as a studio art major, but eventually decided that graphic design was a more lucrative—and stable—career path. However, he never lost the desire to be a fine artist. He earned his BFA from West Texas State University and moved to Lubbock, where he began work as a designer with The Price Group. Now a creative director and shareholder with the agency, Mike still pursues his other interests in art, photography and music. His schedule has allowed him to participate in only a few gallery exhibits, but his work hangs in private collections around the country.

“My philosophy has always been to strive for excellence, rather than perfection. Excellence allows for the imperfections that naturally result in any work—and is a goal that focuses on the process and effort as much as the result.”

Mike works primarily in acrylic, graphite pencil and Prismacolor (colored pencil), but will occasionally explore 3-dimensional expression—from building a fully-articulated suit of armor to the Blue Titmouse in this exhibit.

(not actual size) is a collection of typically small birds and frogs, painted at extreme scales. The dichotomy of scale was a significant part of the appeal in producing these series.

All pieces in the exhibit start with a black base, building up color to bring out the light. The paintings are acrylic on canvas and the sculpture is a mix of wood, PVC, papier mache and paper.

Note that the frogs have graphics from extinct Amazon tribes incorporated into their markings. The frogs inhabit regions of the Amazon where indigenous tribes once flourished, but are now gone. These amphibians face the same fate as their human predecessors.