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Artsclamation! 2008 Featured Artist
Mike C. Berry
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Mike C. Berry
South Gay Street
Gay Street, Rainy Night
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It's All About the Energy
There's an almost tangible energy in the paintings of Mike C. Berry that resonates in vibrant colors and sweeping brushstrokes which typify some of his most well-known work. Berry says the energy comes from his environment. It must come from inside him, too. He speaks gently, but controlled enthusiasm is evident in his voice.
"Absolutely environment--where life takes you--influences art," Berry said. "Every day, I am inspired by the booming resurgence of downtown. What was boarded up six, eight years ago is now alive. I try to capture visually my own interpretation of Knoxville street scenes."
Something visitors to Artsclamation! can expect is a new perspective on those local street scenes currently so desired by collectors.
"I'm working on a series of rooftops for this show," Berry said. "It's still Knoxville, just from a different perspective."
Berry has participated in Artsclamation! since the event's inaugural year in 2002.
"I try to do a couple of local shows each year, and Artsclamation! is one of them. It is the best organized and is very well attended so I paint pieces uniquely for that show," Berry said.
One such painting is this year's featured piece, Fruit and Vegetable Stand, a vibrant work of pastels in every hue from eggplant to lime. This piece is donated by Berry, and will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting the mental health services of Peninsula.
Another special piece is Neyland Stadium in the Fall, which Berry created for the August page of Peninsula's Art of Healing calendar. The piece has since been sold, but Berry is working on a much larger rendition of the painting for Artsclamation!
Artsclamation! attendees can expect to see in Berry's offering scenes from Paris, where Berry and his wife, Leah, honeymooned 10 years ago and where the couple has returned several times.
"Paris is the stomping ground for my art heroes, the French impressionists, Berry said. They were among the first to take an everyday scene, like workers in the field, or a street scene with buildings, and see how light plays on a particular structure."
"Before the impressionists, most art was very formal and not of the common society," Berry said. "I like the idea of snapshots of everyday scenes and so I try to do the same thing."
Other paintings may feature scenes from British Columbia where Berry visited in the summer of 2008 and some still life depictions.
You get the feeling that Berry is just a genuinely nice guy, and that feeling is confirmed as he talks about some of the causes which merit his attention.
"Mental illness and addiction affects people in a lot of ways. . . I am glad to be part of an event that benefits a cause and a need which touches us all," Berry said of Artsclamation!.
Additionally, through Artsclamation! contacts with the Fort Sanders Foundation, Berry learned more about the services of Covenant Health, and will soon be volunteering his time and talent for Katerpillar Kids Camp, an annual weekend camp for bereaved children and adolescents. During the camp, Berry will work on therapeutic art projects with the kids.
Berry holds a Master's in Fine Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. His artistic experience is varied and includes drawing, painting, print making, theatre, clay and even television production design.
"I've always loved it. My favorite thing as a kid was to make art," Berry said. "It still is!"
Berry is well known for the coffee cup and Icee cup illustrations commissioned by Knoxville-based Pilot Corporation which the company uses in a very successful billboard campaign. The illustration of coffee cup is available on a limited edition tumbler at Pilot.
In 2007, Berry's Spring in the City was chosen as the year's limited edition print for the Dogwood Arts Festival. He is the only artist in the event's history to have his print sell out during the festival, a testament to how much people like his style.
He remains modest.
"I'm hesitant to say I am a good artist. If I am a good artist, it comes from being passionate about what I do and a willingness to try new things. I push myself to be better every time I paint."
Berry continues, "Sometimes it's hard to put yourself out there because you wonder what people will think - will they say the colors aren't natural or the perspective isn't right?"
What drives him?
"I love what I do and I know I am lucky and blessed to be doing it. Every compliment I get is like coal to a steam engine. When people tell me they like my work, it feeds the fire and keeps the engine going," Berry said.
Berry serves as gallery manager of the University of Tennessee's Downtown Gallery. He paints "on the side." When he's not painting, Berry and his wife Leah spend their energies parenting their beautiful daughter Orly, who will be two years old in March.
Waffle House |
Past featured artists
2007 – Warren Butler
2006 – Sharron Mallison
2005 – Marie Miller
2004 – Jacqueline Saporiti
2003 – Lorrie Lane
2002 –Tricia Hastings
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