By: Joanne Hobbs
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child
is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they
grow up.” Michael Borja has solved that problem by keeping
an ear tuned to his inner child. His child like whimsical drawings
and freeform painting style reflect the childish abandon that
accompanies any activity that one pursues with joy. He has also
managed to avoid the self conscious, critical scrutiny that so
often accompanies us as we head into adulthood.
His earliest memory of art was a day in kindergarten
when his teacher handed the class clipboards, paper and pencils
and directed them down the hallway to a large window. Through
the window was a single large tree. They stood there for an hour
drawing that tree.
It wasn’t until 2004 though that he discovered
how much he loved art. He had enrolled at the Academy of Art University
in San Francisco because he felt drawn to an art related career.
He didn’t know what specifically he wanted to do so as student
he experimented with digital media and then went to illustration.
It was Fine Art however that sparked his enthusiasm.
“I totally love painting,” he said.
“After sorting through a lot of options, I feel like I am
finally headed in the right direction and doing what I love.”
He always had the support of his family and
friends which he greatly appreciated. And he remembers a high
school teacher pulling him aside and advising him to go into art
related field-so it was probably that advice that nurtured his
inner artist.
“The love and support of those close
to me means so much to me and keeps me motivated,” said
Borja.
The inspiration for the prolific body of work
he has already produced comes from his life experiences, relationships,
and emotions.
“I like the psychology of things. And
I like transforming my feelings and the feelings of others into
something visual,” he shared. “I use acrylic, oil,
and even spray paint because each medium has its own secrets.”
Other artists are also a source of inspiration
for Borja like the art of Mars-1, Gary Baseman, Luke Cheuh, Maurice
Sendak, David Chose, Herbert Baglione, Bruno 9li, and many others.
At his website (http://www.meborja.com)
you can see Borja’s love of portraits and surrealistic themes.
He also enjoys creating fanciful figures including animals loving
and murdering their food.
He calls the series the “Vicious Vegetarians
and Ferocious Fruitarians”. His style resembles a coloring
book with cartoon characters and very bright colors. But a closer
look reveals a dark story in which wild animals have been thrown
together in a living
room decorated with cloudy sky wallpaper and grassy-like carpet.
“They think they are outside and free,
but they're not, they are just pets obsessing, murdering, and
loving their food,” explains Borja.
Borja will graduated from the Academy of Art
in June. He has exhibited at the school’s gallery,
the Studio Gallery in San Francisco, PURIST BOUTIQUE and
at our Heart of Chaos Uproar exhibit in 2007 as well as at Riga's
Cafe in early 2008.
Borja also does a lot of commissioned work
including portraits, landscapes, abstract paintings, illustrations
and even logos.
