JAM: June/July 2005 Issue: Q&A with Mike Savage

MIKE SAVAGE

The winning artwork for this year’s Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl was submitted by Mike Savage, a KCK native and KU grad.

JAM: I can see from your Web site that you're no stranger to painting Kansas City landmarks. What makes a good subject for you, or how do you choose what to paint?

SAVAGE: I paint what I see. It's all up for grabs. I make mental and visual notes, then re-address them later and fine-tune my thinking. Always keeping a good composition in my forethought. The rest takes place when I paint, never totally sure what the visual/color outcome will bring. That's the best part--wondering how I will see it when I start to paint. I don't put too much thought into it, though I let my insides come out!

JAM: What kind of relationship does your painting have with your musical tastes?

SAVAGE: Boy that's tough, but it's really important. Music is the first thing I do before I get started. I tend to create, draw, and paint more in mellow mood. Van Morrison, John Coltrane, Joni Mitchell. But it all depends on my mood, the weather, and what stage I'm in. I have play lists that I've created and go back and forth between them. As I start to complete the work, I tend to crank it up. Some Stones and Bruce Springsteen to Bitches Brew from Miles Davis. But all said and done, I'm across the board. My iTunes library, which I put on random just to test me, has 17,000 songs in it! Keeps me guessing, just like my work. I don't tend to listen to too much crap--I mean rap--sorry. As I paint all subjects, I listen to all artists. An equal creative listening opportunist!

JAM: What's coming up next from Mike Savage?

SAVAGE: Color! Color! And more color. And fun and emotion. For me, it's all about being happy. I paint all things I see and most of them make me happy, and if the view I see isn't, well by gosh it will be when I'm done! But mostly it's just interpreting how I see the world on my terms. And I've discovered that a lot of people feel and see the same way. Lucky me!

JAM: How can people see more of your work?

SAVAGE: Well, the easiest way is to hit my Web site, which is www.sav-art.com. Also my wife, Cami, and I have a gallery at 45th and State Line. Been there a year. It's called Sav·Art. We have about 12 other artists there also. The phone number is 913-236-9400. That's also the best way to get in touch with us.

Congratulations to Mike and a big thanks to all entrants in this year's Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl Poster Contest!






	Search our site:		MIKE SAVAGE The winning artwork for this year’s Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl was submitted by Mike Savage, a KCK native and KU grad. JAM: I can see from your Web site that you're no stranger to painting Kansas City landmarks. What makes a good subject for you, or how do you choose what to paint? SAVAGE: I paint what I see. It's all up for grabs. I make mental and visual notes, then re-address them later and fine-tune my thinking. Always keeping a good composition in my forethought. The rest takes place when I paint, never totally sure what the visual/color outcome will bring. That's the best part--wondering how I will see it when I start to paint. I don't put too much thought into it, though I let my insides come out! JAM: What kind of relationship does your painting have with your musical tastes? SAVAGE: Boy that's tough, but it's really important. Music is the first thing I do before I get started. I tend to create, draw, and paint more in mellow mood. Van Morrison, John Coltrane, Joni Mitchell. But it all depends on my mood, the weather, and what stage I'm in. I have play lists that I've created and go back and forth between them. As I start to complete the work, I tend to crank it up. Some Stones and Bruce Springsteen to Bitches Brew from Miles Davis. But all said and done, I'm across the board. My iTunes library, which I put on random just to test me, has 17,000 songs in it! Keeps me guessing, just like my work. I don't tend to listen to too much crap--I mean rap--sorry. As I paint all subjects, I listen to all artists. An equal creative listening opportunist! JAM: What's coming up next from Mike Savage? SAVAGE: Color! Color! And more color. And fun and emotion. For me, it's all about being happy. I paint all things I see and most of them make me happy, and if the view I see isn't, well by gosh it will be when I'm done! But mostly it's just interpreting how I see the world on my terms. And I've discovered that a lot of people feel and see the same way. Lucky me! JAM: How can people see more of your work? SAVAGE: Well, the easiest way is to hit my Web site, which is www.sav-art.com. Also my wife, Cami, and I have a gallery at 45th and State Line. Been there a year. It's called Sav·Art. We have about 12 other artists there also. The phone number is 913-236-9400. That's also the best way to get in touch with us. Congratulations to Mike and a big thanks to all entrants in this year's Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl Poster Contest! RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.