Michael Ives Speaks about iPhone Art at AZ Apple Stores
Fingerpainter Michael Ives has been invited to speak and showcase his work at 3 Apple locations throughout the Tucson and Phoenix areas this week. He’s also been invited to present his work to a regional MacIntosh users group.
“Michael iVes, iPhone Artist” is a discussion about the artist’s personal journey with the medium, the value and validity of using technology in art and how fingerpainting on the iPhone can enrich the lives of both professional and novice artists.
Ives has already completed three successful sessions including one at the La Encantada Store Mall in Tucson Arizona on February 18th and the other just last night at the Apple Store at San Tan Village in Gilbert. So far, the audiences have been pretty diverse, ranging from professional visual artists, mac enthusiasts and staff to the curious customer and/or passerby.
During the sessions Ives shares his experiences with the iphone as an art tool and walks the group through his own unique journey–his discovery of the medium, how it has enriched his life both personally and as a professional artist and marketing his works. He also discusses the ease in which he can print and display his art.
The talk also features video replays of two pieces, “Movie Night” and “A Summer Day” and a large framed print. He shares the group’s general reaction, “I had the impression by their reaction as they viewed my videos…that it was like walking an alien into the room; it’s something no one has seen before, something magic.” Well, I must say, your work is pretty stunning too, Michael!
When asked about his message, the response is a reflection of an artistic and fun-loving spirit, “you don’t have to be a professional artist to really enjoy this technology.” Ives only offers fingerpainting to the community as a meaningful and fulfilling outlet that enriches lives in a way that extends well beyond a beautifully executed painting. He illustrates with a story, “I think my favorite story about the iPhone/Brushes is how a couple weeks ago, I casually showed a friend how I created a painting on my iPhone using Brushes. The next time I saw her she mentioned how she had bought the brushes app and how she and her daughter spent the afternoon laughing and having the best time creating paintings on their iPhone. She said that she had not been that close or experienced that joy with her daughter in a long time. After deciding which painting they liked the best, they printed it out, framed it up and by that evening it was on the daughter’s bedroom wall for all to see…For my money, that is a powerful story of the human spirit and what art should be all about. The availability and friendliness of the iPhone and Brushes makes this possible.”
Michael Ives’ final speaking engagement is at the Biltmore Apple Store in Phoenix today at 12pm MST. If you can make it, you most definitely should stop by! For those who can’t make it, no worries! You can learn more about the artist by viewing his website, www.ivesart.com, or checking out his fantastic stream of work on Flickr.
Are you sharing your iPhone art or fingerpaintings with your community? Let us know how!
February 21st, 2010 at 01:22
Hi Mia,
Thanks for the nice review of my iPhone art and of my speaking events experience these last few days. It was a load of fun and I think many people that were in the audiences will be joining us as iPhone/brushes artists soon!
Best,
Michael
February 21st, 2010 at 15:47
MIchael, thank you for being so open and willing to share your experiences the blog! I am so happy the tour was a success. And I’m so happy to have had to opportunity to learn more about you as an artist (and a person). You really have a wonderful spirit–your work is a real reflection of that! And, yes, looking forward to following all the new fingerpainters of AZ. 🙂
February 21st, 2010 at 16:17
Michael goes on tour 🙂
Congratulations Michael, you have found a cutting edge niche that will inspire many people. I hope to see you on tour throughout the world!
How wonderful of apple to showcase your talent and embrace your creations. All the best to you.
February 21st, 2010 at 23:52
Wonderful article Mia. I learn so much here. Congrats Michael. Love your enthusiasm and applaud your talent. ^Up^
February 22nd, 2010 at 14:56
Congratulations Michael! Thanks for sharing! Superb article Mia.
February 23rd, 2010 at 16:55
Thanks Susan and Matt~
It was an exciting time and a lot of fun to show ‘brushes’ to the public. And with Mia’s writing the article it is brought to life all the more.
March 23rd, 2010 at 00:23
Great to hear, Michael, that your talent extends beyond creating dazzling fingerpaintings, but having the patience to teach it as well …. Double plus good! Mia… I’m really blown away by your writing, and yea again Double Plus Good!