MINERS +
Mickelson works with the concept of living and working underground— what that represents spiritually or philosophically. Moving through darkness guided only by the light that one carries.
Research for the Miners began in 2005 well before the media picked up on the Sago mine disaster. He found a commonality in the faces regardless of age or race. After five months, the first–Blue Miner, was completed.
ARTWORK
“The related objects (helmets, gloves, lanterns) blossomed into icons. There is also a nod to “Americana” which intrigued me. The expressions are not so different from you and me after a “day in the mines”. I tempered that expression with color. As the series continued, I focused on pushing away traditional color and temperature. Purple jackets, raceless faces and pink lanterns are not expected in paintings of miners.”
OTHER FIGURATIVE WORKS
Mickelson held a digital camera on his lap while riding trains in San Francisco and NYC. According to the artist, most shots were of knees and the backs of heads. Then, on a nearly empty train, he captured one photo of the man who became the model for Shopping Bag. The model for Lizard was a teenager with an actual lizard on a leash. Gold Ring was taken on a train in NYC. Baracho was snapped while waiting for the train.
Research for the Miners began in 2005 well before the media picked up on the Sago mine disaster. He found a commonality in the faces regardless of age or race. After five months, the first–Blue Miner, was completed.
ARTWORK
“The related objects (helmets, gloves, lanterns) blossomed into icons. There is also a nod to “Americana” which intrigued me. The expressions are not so different from you and me after a “day in the mines”. I tempered that expression with color. As the series continued, I focused on pushing away traditional color and temperature. Purple jackets, raceless faces and pink lanterns are not expected in paintings of miners.”
OTHER FIGURATIVE WORKS
Mickelson held a digital camera on his lap while riding trains in San Francisco and NYC. According to the artist, most shots were of knees and the backs of heads. Then, on a nearly empty train, he captured one photo of the man who became the model for Shopping Bag. The model for Lizard was a teenager with an actual lizard on a leash. Gold Ring was taken on a train in NYC. Baracho was snapped while waiting for the train.
