Today we’d like to introduce you to Big Mike Arnone.
Hi Big Mike, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up an introverted gay kid escaping life through sketching, drawing cars and painting. I became endlessly fascinated with Mid-Century style, complex geometric concepts, and abstract, cubist, & impressionist artists. I dreamed of becoming an artist or famous auto designer.
I was put on the street at 17 by my father for being gay and struggled for years to heal the psychic wounds and find my place in the world. Thankfully, my mom, my biggest cheerleader, stayed my best friend throughout my life and taught me the importance of staying good-hearted and to never give up on my dreams. So, with hard work and determination (and a lot of financial aid), I attained my dreams by eventually completing both a Fine Arts and Graphic Communications degree from Cal State University Fullerton.
Over time, I created my chosen family and lived communally for 20 years in Venice Beach with my artist/best friends. Meditated and healed my soul by bathing myself in glorious, endless, pink-orange sunrises & sunsets. My spiritual awakening.
Met my man and created a plan to move to Palm Springs and see if I could make a go of a career as a fine artist. I was immediately, utterly inspired by the eccentric history, sublime architecture and ferocious natural beauty.
My abstract painting series is a celebration of all my life’s experiences fused together with the sublime modern style of my stunning desert home. I’m driven to re-imagine the Mid-century vibe with sacred, geometric worlds and lay it all down in a torrent of smudges, swirls, whips and hatches. I’m just getting going, enjoy the ride!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
At the age of 17, I had to live with my father as my mom had a string of bad luck and a difficult time taking care of 4 children on her own. My father refused to pay child support and in those days, men could easily get away with that. I was sleeping on a bed in my Dad’s living room and at the same time realizing that I was gay and trying to come to terms with that.
I was going to Cal State Fullerton getting straight A’s and was on the Honor Roll and was moving towards what became a double major of Fine Arts as well as Graphic Communications degrees.
As my father’s new relationship became serious, he informed me that I would not be able to live with them after they got married and moved in together. My Dad’s new wife had three children a few years younger than me and was virulently homophobic and did not want me around her kids. Literally, the day that I helped my father move into a giant house with his new family, he put the few things that I had on the curb and shut the door in my tear-streaked face. I can still feel the trembling terror that I felt, not knowing where I would sleep that night.
I made a desperate call to my mom to see if she could help. She was regrouping at my Grandmother and Grandfather’s small Huntington Beach home and was living in a small back room with boxes surrounding her while my brother was sleeping on the couch bed in the living room, They didn’t have much, but they invited me to come sleep next to my brother on the couch bed. My mom drove over in her rickety old van and I stuffed my belongings in and then into her storage area. I basically lived out of a small suitcase with a few clothes and my school books for the next couple of years until my mom got back on her feet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Once I completed my Fine Art and Graphic Communications degrees, I decided to move toward the advertising world as it was (one of) my true passions. To begin, I worked extensively as a freelance graphic designer on every kind of design job imaginable until I had built up a strong enough portfolio and could approach large advertising agencies and marketing departments.
I migrated up to West Los Angeles and successfully worked full-time and freelance for many, many mid-range and large advertising agencies at first as Graphic Designer, then Art Director and finally up to Associate Creative Director level. Loved my work and was lucky to win a ton of regional as well as national Advertising awards.
Though my professional advertising career was very strong, the ups and down of the economy tempered my feelings for the industry. I knew that one day I would follow my other passion and become a full-time professional artist.
I had continually been painting here and there since college and when I met my husband Dana, we hatched a plan in 2017 to move out to Palm Springs and give my professional art career a go. I started painting in 115-degree heat in the garage and then (despite the Pandemic) outgrew that and the next 3 studios that I rented! I am currently in my second gallery and absolutely love it. The love and support of the Palm Springs community has been incredible with 50-60% of my work sold here and could not feel more validated. I even had NBC News cover my last show in January! I am a blessed guy. I must also give Dana a shout-out because without his love, support and resources he provided me, I probably would not have made it this far so quickly. In addition to my Gallery, I am now in three other venues in Palm Springs as well as a Gallery in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Incredibly important to have a dedicated space to develop your artistic skill. Beyond the garage, beyond the bedroom, artists need spaces that they can get messy and experiment and not have to put away at the end of the day. Makes all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bigmikeart.com
- Instagram: @BigMikeArtPS
- Facebook: BigMikeArt
