Meet Michael Carini | Artist, Art Teacher, Mental Health Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Carini and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Deciding not to have a back up plan. I knew that if I had a back up plan, I would ultimately fail. It’s too easy to lean into a safety net when you have one. The only way to guarantee success was to get rid of it. People often look at safety nets as something that prevents you from falling. What they really do is prevent you from flying.

This year has been a prime example. The art market has been the roughest I have ever seen it as the economy has tanked. People art not buying art right now, because it’s viewed as an unnecessary luxury. At the same time, cost of living is constantly rising and San Diego is one of the most expensive places to live. I find that, at times, I feel like I’m falling further and further behind, getting pulled under, even drowning. Rather than accept that, though, I’m fighting to find creative solutions as only an artist can. If I had allowed myself a back up plan, I know I wouldn’t still be fighting as hard as I am for my dream.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t want to give away the full story, because I would love you to check out my site and my galleries. I’m a full-time neurodivergent artist with Tourette’s. I’m also coming off a traumatic brain injury. This journey has been an uphill battle since day one, but I have always taken the road less traveled and believed in the impossible.

Over time, I’ve come to understand that this journey isn’t about me. I’m not important. What I am capable of doing, however, that could be important. I am here to help others find their voice as I continue to fight to find my own. I invite you all to join me on this journey.

There’s a lot more that I could say, but I tend to struggle with brevity so this gives me an opportunity to demonstrate my growth lol.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m an introverted indoor cat, so I’m probably not the best to ask. My recommendation is always the local art galleries, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. These are my favorite places to frequent.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My late mentor, Roland Reiss, who passed away in 2020.

Website: https://CariniArts.com

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