Carried by Wind
Mikey Winsor

Artist Statement:  The wind blows and we see trees move, we hear crackling leaves scuttle, and our clothes are ruffled. We don’t see the wind, but experience its effects. Wind is a majestic force constantly moving things. We look at the Earth from space and see shapes of clouds move over land and ocean. We can observe wind patterns and predict storms and temperatures. Wind is a giant force without mass, a movement that affects every living thing, from the currents in the ocean to feeding migrations to rain for crops. I don’t paint the wind directly, but I come at a similar life force that interconnects all of us. A life that is constantly bumping into other life, reproducing, consuming, and leaving history behind. Tidbits of interaction and moments of fleeting joy fuel my interest. Biological forms and pattern lay out direction. I try to capture this, just trying to move the brush with care; because care is the most powerful force the human can encompass.
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Artist Bio:  My interest in art became more than a hobby while I was studying in Japan through an exchange program. Public transportation opened access to museums and art schools all over a new country. It was a truly eye opening experience to have the freedom to travel and explore. Upon my completion of my study abroad, I realized a responsibility to pursue art. I didn’t just feel interested in art, I saw how it was changing the way people think and act. Kurt Vonnegut and Magritte didn’t leave behind stories and pictures, they were a living direction, a comfort, and a responsibility. My friends, the places I visited, and the events I took part in, all had inspirational moments beyond the tangible. As humans we can’t afford to lose those moments.

I was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania and was to study under Matthew Ritchie, an artist whose work I held respect for. Grad school was a great moment of stomping on dreams, facing roadblocks of curatorial politics, and contagious art theory. From that time a truth emerged which I still hold true to; art exists to share.

I currently live and work in Lexington, Kentucky with my wife and our two dogs. I typically spend my day in the studio drawing up ideas and finishing them with oil paint on canvas. My hobbies include cycling, walking, coding, and eating out. I really enjoy living in Lexington. I’m fortunate there has been interest in my work and I have been able to show my paintings across the country. I feel I have begun to establish my own footprint in contemporary art history. It’s an honor to have this show and I thank you, the viewer, most for your attention to my work.