Mike Zink

Artist Statement

Hi, my preferred name is Mike. Not Michael, my childhood discipline moniker. Much of my art may be a vent and sorting out from my troubled youth. Painting gives me a cherished sense of freedom and permission to be right by my own values. I don’t need everyone to appreciate or approve of my work, just a few.
Rarely I do representative pictures. I use a camera or phone for that. If someone sees a thing in my abstract non-objective work- that is their imagination. I am glad to be a part of other’s imaginations..
I have an extensive background in carpentry and cabinetry. That is why I make my own wood panels out of hardwood plywood and 1x3. These panels allow for more control without the canvas flexing. This is vital for multi-media. Letting the paint flow over the 3” sides eliminates the need for superfluous framing. At this time I am fabricating 2’x4’ panels. I have built other sizes and will undoubtedly change in the future. I shy away from smaller formats. I am always changing though.
My genre does not fit under one label because of the variety of tools and techniques I employ. I refer to it as Flow Art. I experiment with paint viscosities, mediums and tools like a baker spatula, Venetian wood blinds and a small blower. I have given most of my brushes to my granddaughter.
I have had several careers and retired a few times. Working with homeless people and directing a homeless shelter stirred up a lot of stress and resulted in my dedicating time and space to paint. I have always been a late bloomer. I took a couple years of art in high school. I have gotten many ideas from YouTube but no actual training. Consider me self- taught. To the trained or critical eye my lack may show but I prefer to think of myself as a natural. I hope you enjoy some of what you see.