Michael S. Ballew
Michael Ballew is an award-winning, mostly self-taught artist whose main medium of expression is mixed media. His most recent creations incorporate the use of various discarded materials (wood, glass, vintage books, saw dust, etc.) photography and painting - all with an "outsider art" flair. Influences of his Native American Indian heritage are clearly evident in his work. The result is a unique piece of work that reaches out to the viewer with the spirits and colors of the subject. Michael is an artist whose work is collected throughout the Southeast and earns him entry into highly competitive juried art shows.
A native small-town Southerner, Michael was raised on a farm in Northern Alabama. He was exposed to all aspects of nature and was taught an appreciation for what it can offer. Following in the footsteps and teachings of his Cherokee ancestors, he learned to listen to nature and seek guidance from his surroundings. These life lessons and messages are incorporated into his work and are often seen as whimsical and surreal with a folk art quality.
As an artist, it is Michael's goal to create work that affects others. In describing this desire and deep-seated purpose in his work, he states, "It is my sincere desire to bring enjoyment to you through my work, and along the way take you to into deeper appreciation of the subject. As you view my work, I encourage you to look first for enjoyment…then allow the piece to provoke your imagination…stir emotions…and in the end experience its true SPIRITS AND COLORS."
A native small-town Southerner, Michael was raised on a farm in Northern Alabama. He was exposed to all aspects of nature and was taught an appreciation for what it can offer. Following in the footsteps and teachings of his Cherokee ancestors, he learned to listen to nature and seek guidance from his surroundings. These life lessons and messages are incorporated into his work and are often seen as whimsical and surreal with a folk art quality.
As an artist, it is Michael's goal to create work that affects others. In describing this desire and deep-seated purpose in his work, he states, "It is my sincere desire to bring enjoyment to you through my work, and along the way take you to into deeper appreciation of the subject. As you view my work, I encourage you to look first for enjoyment…then allow the piece to provoke your imagination…stir emotions…and in the end experience its true SPIRITS AND COLORS."