Greg Mike is a contemporary artist known for his signature characters, bold street art, mural paintings, and Loudmouf icon that blends colorful designs with pop culture. His iconic characters exude energy and movement and inspire viewers to feel a sense of nostalgia and happiness. Mike has painted murals in Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and the Swiss Alps and his studio work is on view in galleries and museums around the world. Some notable clients include Nike, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Google, Spotify, BMW, and the Atlanta Braves, and collaborators include DeadMau5, NGHTMRE, and Big Gigantic. Additionally, his work has been collected by Justin Bieber, Diplo, Scooter Braun, Swizz Beats, and Nina Dobrev. Learn more about Greg Mike in today’s Maker Monday.
“True Colors” reveals a fearsome bear whose vibrant, happy, and colorful interior showcases a delightful surprise beneath the intimidating facade.
Andrew Joseph: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
Greg Mike: I’ve found traveling is where I am most inspired. When I am in new places my senses seem to be heightened. Being in new locations, seeing new things, I’m constantly analyzing things differently. Whether it’s sitting at a restaurant in France and listening to new music or being captivated by the typography of a street sign in Switzerland. It’s easy to get in the same routine while in my hometown, so I try to get out and experience the world with fresh eyes and an open mind.
AJ: What is your favorite design tool to use?
GM: Over the years, I’ve shifted to using my iPad with Procreate more and more for sketching. Having a tool that’s easy to travel with and allows me to flip concepts to my team provides a ton of creative freedom, speed, and productivity. Gone are the days when I would create work on an airplane with a bag of pencils, markers, erasers and paper everywhere. It was always such a pain to work in this fashion as speed is crucial in this business and I’m always on a constant quest to be as productive as possible.
AJ: How do you approach designing for a specific mood or atmosphere?
GM: It always starts with a few things. I always set the vibe and tone with music. For me, music is 100% required to get the process moving and the thoughts and creative energy flowing. Once the atmosphere in the studio is set, I dive into the research and development phase, spending hours getting inspired by history. This is followed by doing a non-creative activity where I let my ideas marinate. I feel like with most projects it’s 50% research and 50% of actual design work. I find that when I am doing other things and forcing creative thoughts, the mind relaxes and the thoughts naturally appear. This could be anything from being on a trail in nature or out on the golf course. Forced creativity has never been something that works for me. I must get inspired, wait, and let my brain direct me when it’s most relaxed.
“Still Smiling” portrays a character donning a cheerful mask, concealing their genuine emotions from the viewer and the world behind a facade of happiness.
AJ: What is your favorite design-related quote?
GM: “I don’t like to say I have given my life to art. I prefer to say art has given me my life.” – Frank Stella
This one always hits hard and home for me. I always wonder where and what I’d be doing if I didn’t find art and design. It’s all I think about all the time. My mind is constantly consumed and entertained by all things creative. It’s been this way ever since I can remember.
AJ: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
GM: I’ve been getting into DJing a lot more recently. It’s been a hobby I’ve done on and off for probably 20 years since spinning vinyl records on my Technic 1200s in my college dorm. More recently, I’ve gotten more serious about it as it’s been a great mental escape for me. I started to play tunes at my gallery I own in Atlanta for all of our events. Being able to produce the art in the exhibitions is one thing, but then also playing the music and setting the vibe provides more of a holistic curatorial experience for the attendees.
AJ: Style (or design) icon and why?
GM: Andy Warhol. I think his revolutionary approach to art and culture transcended traditional boundaries. He redefined the notion of celebrity and consumerism. His use of mass production techniques, like silk screen printing and merchandising, challenged conventional notions of craftsmanship and authenticity, democratizing art in the process. His platinum wigs became synonymous with avant-garde sophistication, influencing generations of artists who came after.
“Live Life Loud” is one of Greg Mike’s artistic mantras. Inspired by iconic American midcentury cartoons, color, shape, patterns, and positivity, he hopes viewers will feel a sense of nostalgia and happiness through his work.
AJ: What’s your favorite cocktail?
GM: Moscow Margarita Mule preferably in some sort of tropical setting.
AJ: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
GM: The debut of my first solo exhibition, which toured from San Francisco, Atlanta and Miami in early 2009. It’s the 15th anniversary of that exhibition which launched my professional art and design career. It’s a full circle moment as I am currently producing my largest studio exhibition ever featuring over 150+ works in an old church I have been renovating for the last 4 years in Atlanta. More on that here.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
GM: My current dream project is designing a skyscraper or neighborhood of homes that resemble my characters. Imagine eyes as windows and doors as mouths, a magical place of positivity, color and happiness.
At its core, Mike’s art is a celebration of individuality and self-expression. It is a reminder that creativity knows no bounds and that each of us has the power to leave our mark on the world in our own unique way. Through his work, he hopes to inspire others to embrace their creativity, follow their passions, and never be afraid to color outside the lines.
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