MICHAEL PUKAC

You can describe Michael Pukac as Michael Angelo of the 21st century. His work is every adjective you can think of. Or maybe it's just me who can't find words to describe his work.
So, I'm here to introduce a very talented Los Angelo's artist Michael Pukac.

· Introduce yourself to the readers.

Hi, my name is Michael Pukac (poo-khash). Most people call me Pukac. I am an artist from the deep south, I’ve traveled all over making art, and now live in Long Beach , California . I am a painter, and that’s mainly all I do- day to day and night to night. If I’m not painting in my studio, then I’m at some art show and/or am live painting at some event.

· How old were you when you first started to paint?

I started to paint at around 15, and pretty much have painted every day since. But I have been drawing since long before I can remember.

· What is your inspiration?

I paint what I see in my minds eye, and enjoy creating things that I haven’t seen before.

· You have been compared to famous artist such as Rubens, Titian and Rembrandt. But to me, you remind me of a futuristic Michael Angelo. How does that make you feel about that comparison?

That’s not a bad way to look at my work. Michelangelo was a Mannerist painter and I consider myself more of a neo-mannerist.

· In your biography, it stated you co-founded and organized 3 not-for profit art origination. May I ask: why, where and how can artist take part.

I would say that the first 2 were more of experiments into getting this third art group rolling on a much greater scale.

The first one was years ago in Alabama , while I was in the midst of getting my BFA. I curated a few art shows in order to get a few of my colleagues a place and the experience to show their art work.

The second group was formed along the same lines, but in Sarasota , Florida . We hosted open studio art shows, art walks, critiques, and even provided a place for artists to paint.

This third, new art group is still in the midst of development. It is called The Imaginary Light Bulb Factory and started about a year ago in Florida , traveled around a bit, and now is just starting up again in Los Angeles . The Co-Founder & Director of the group, Dicapria comes from a theater design background http://www.dicapria.com

Thus we are currently leaning towards curating shows and productions that combine the fine arts and theatre arts; and it’s really a great collaboration. A recent series of shows that we are in the midst of continuing is called “Tableau Vivant Nouveau”- which takes a painting, and we basically re-create the entire painting into a physical form- creating all of the scenic elements, props, puppets, and lighting effects and presenting it through performance with live music and an interpretive dramatic movement or dance – or more simply, Bringing the paintings to life.

You can watch a video of one of these shows here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6KZ7VEKcHk

Since we just moved here about 7 months ago, we’re still trying to meet new artists to get involved. But you can check out more information at http://www.myspace.com/imaginarylightbulbfactory

Artists can join the myspace page, where we will start putting up Call To Artists info, or you can email imaginarylightbulbfactory@gmail.com to get added to the mailing list for announcements and call for artists for future shows.

One of our main interests is the process of collaboration, and working with artists from many different mediums: (musicians, fashion designers, video artists, puppetry, black light artists, and more.) So, yes, if any artist out there is ambitious and has ideas to bring to the table, then just give us a shout through email.

· You have used a lot of new techniques to create a lot of your art work. Was it difficult to masters these techniques?

Well, I wouldn’t say difficult, more over it took a lot of screwing up and experimentation to find things that actually worked. Patience is definitely an asset.

The technique that fascinates me the most is the use of reflective and transparent layers of color intermingling layers of light. The affect creates an immense glow and subtle hologram that causes the image and colors to shift in different light.

· What is your most memorable accomplishment?

I guess it was my very first solo show where I got to see all of my work together under gallery lights. Even though it was a humble show in Alabama , and I was only 19, the show was extraordinarily successful (nearly selling out) and for the first time I felt as though that it was truly possible to make great work and survive.

· What should readers look forward from you next?

Definitely more Tableau Vivant Nouveau performances, but on a much grander scale. The current show will probably take about another 2 to 3 months of development. In the meantime, I will continue to do live painting performances and participate in gallery shows around LA.

· Where can readers purchase your art work?

Check out http://www.michaelpukac.com

Right now, the best way is to just go to an upcoming art show or live painting event.

Also, my website is updated quite often, so most of my paintings are posted online with prices, and if you’re local, we can schedule an in-studio visit to come see the works in person, or you can send an email to michaelpukac@yahoo.com to inquire about shipping originals or purchasing prints.

I also have illustrated a series of children’s books entitled “The Flights of Marceau” that recently got published and are available for purchase online.

· When and where is your next art exhibit?

Check the website, because new shows just happen to pop up all the time: http://www.michaelpukac.com/upcomingshows.html

Current On-going shows for the rest of the month include: a bunch of shows in Southern California .

Aug 2-30 The Hive Gallery in Downtown LA

Aug 1-30 The C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice

Aug 1-31 Bootleg Theater, Rogue Artists’ show “Mr. Punch”, Downtown LA

Aug 14 – Downtown Art Walk, Live Painting on Street, approx. 5pm-9pm

Aug 14 – “This Way Up”, Mountain Bar, in Chinatown , 9pm-2am

August 30- Koo’s Art Center , 7pm-11pm in Long Beach , CA

Sept 6 - The Hive Gallery’s show “Bee-rotica” 8pm , Downtown LA

Sept 20 – The Hive Live Painting Event, Downtown LA

Sept 30- Cannibal Flower Show, Downtown LA

· In one sentence describe your art work to the readers?

I crossbreed different genres, eras, and conventions of paintings into phantasmagorical anti-epics blended with Gold and Metallic Acrylic Paints.

· Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

Being a part of all of these art shows and really getting my art out there has been really only possible through my wonderful art manager and very supportive girlfriend, who just happen to be the same person.