Artistic Insights with Michael Booker: Exploring Emotion, Education, and Fine Liner Pens

Welcome to 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, hosted by Rob Lee, engage in this meaningful conversation with Michael Booker, a Mississippi-born mixed media artist now residing in Maryland, who holds a BFA in Studio Art – Painting from Mississippi State University and an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland. With exhibitions spanning multiple states, including Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC, Booker's artistic prowess has been recognized by the David C. Driskell Center. Presently serving as an Assistant Professor of Art at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring, he is represented by Morton Fine Art in DC. Booker's creative journey is deeply influenced by the historical significance of quilts in the Underground Railroad, conveying messages of liberation and hope. His intricate drawings, often using fine-liner pens, interweave elements from Hip Hop music, African wax fabrics, and Gee’s Bend quilts, reflect the tapestry of African American history, culture, and mysticism. Through his expressive art, Booker captures the essence of emotion and narrative, drawing viewers into a visual exploration of Afrotopian ideals.

Celebrating 12 years of placing exceptional contemporary art in global private and public collections.

Founded in 2010 in Washington, DC by curator Amy Morton, Morton Fine Art (MFA) is a fine art gallery and curatorial group that collaborates with art collectors and visual artists to inspire fresh ways of acquiring contemporary art. Firmly committed to the belief that art collecting can be cultivated through an educational stance, MFA's mission is to provide accessibility to museum-quality contemporary art through a combination of substantive exhibitions and a welcoming platform for dialogue and exchange of original voice. Morton Fine Art specializes in a stellar roster of nationally and internationally renowned artists as well as has an additional focus on the artwork of the African Diaspora. 

Morton Fine Art founded the trademark *a pop-up project in 2010. *a pop-up project is MFA's mobile gallery component which hosts temporary curated exhibitions nationally.

In this episode, we uncover:

• Michael Booker's unique artistic process, which centers around the use of fine-liner pens and draws inspiration from the rich tradition of quilt-making.
• Michael Booker's artwork delves into the realm of emotion and personal expression, frequently infusing his pieces with figurative elements to create captivating narratives.
• Join the conversation about how drawing serves as a therapeutic avenue and a powerful means of self-expression for Michael Booker, offering insights into the deeper layers of his creative journey.
• Uncover the intentional imperfections woven into Michael Booker's work, and gain insight into how these imperfections contribute to the soulful authenticity that defines his distinctive artistic voice.

Don't miss this incredible episode as Rob Lee interviews artist and educator Michael Booker. They discuss his artistic process, the influence of quilt-making on his work, and the importance of creativity in education. Booker shares his journey from considering a career in engineering to pursuing fine art and highlights the significance of drawing as a form of therapy and self-expression. He also talks about the role of imperfections in his work and the emotional resonance he aims to convey through his art.

Mentioned in this episode
MICHAEL BOOKER. Website
Morton Fine Art 

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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