Meet Mike Smack | PERP

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

Hi Mike, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
The end goal is to die with a smile. I see this as a practice more so than a career. The practice won’t end. It will shift, morph into variations along the way.

Professionally, if I’m able to flourish in a life design that is powered by my own creativity, then I will be proud of myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Along my journey to now, I’ve seen some places, and I’ve pushed some boundaries. Been loved, bitten, arrested, challenged, deported, supported, burned, blessed, tested. But I didn’t die yet.

My art is the marks and notes left over along my exploration of the human experience.

I write about these adventures in a visual language that can be interpreted universally. I process emotions and re-live encounters in my conscious, while my body goes on auto-pilot through motions that just feel good, like a dance, with paint being the extension of my fingertips. My current painting process creates a background of colorful chaos onto which I build structure and make sense out of a beautiful mess.

I make this type of art because it goes beyond therapeutic, often feels magical. Like a sorcerer with the powers to open portals.

My art practice overlaps with my professional hustle. I earn dollars by working part-time as a color chemist for Dr. Ph. Martin’s, manufacturer of the best liquid watercolors, inks and acrylic paints.

I am also growing my own small business painting signs and murals around town. Working with a partner, Brett Quinlan, under Quack’s Paint, we provide a plethora of creative services. It’s a wonderful means of helping others to fully realize an idea, bring a vision to life, and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.

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?
Coffee – Vigilante Coffee Co. That’s the homies.

Surf – Oceanside actually doesn’t have any waves. Ever. Never ever. Especially not around Buc’s or the rock. It’s really sharky around here too. I suggest no one try surfing here. Maybe we’ll rent some Wavestorms and go surf PB.

Breakfast Burritos – The Buccaneer Cafe. Killer breakfast. Lovely smiles. Entertaining stories from the lot lizards.

Haircuts – Neighborhood Barbershop. That’s the homies.

Cruise – Bike ride down the San Luis Rey river trail to see if we can find the guy that stole my scooter. Hop on a boat and cruise out from the harbor. Walk the Strand, watch the low-lows hitting switches.

Taco-hopping – one taco, one beer starting in south O at Heritage Brewery and hitting all the stops along Coast Hwy til we make it downtown or pass out, whichever happens first.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Whilst wandering the world, I’ve crossed paths with brilliant minds from all over. Painters, musicians, chefs, comedians, photographers, writers, builders, business owners, creative superheroes…. Some of whom I’ve worked alongside, others I’ve closely observed, all of whom I have taken a lil something from. My shoutout is to them:

Website: www.mikesmack.com

Instagram: @ms.perp @quackspaint