NATURALLY GIFTED: MICHAEL NORICE
WATTS, CALIFORNIA | MICHAEL NORICE
INTERVIEW REALIFE PHOTOGRAPH MAINE WESLEY
MICHAEL NORICE’S ARTWORK IS BECOMING PROMINENT IN AND AROUND HIS COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT’S HIS CANVAS PAINTINGS, BUILDING MURALS OR FASHION PIECES. BORN AND RAISED IN WATTS, CALIFORNIA, MICHAEL, CONSTANTLY ENDURED POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS ALL WHILE BEING SURROUNDED BY DRUGS AND GANG VIOLENCE. HE CAME INTO HIS OWN BY TAPPING INTO HIS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION THROUGH VISUAL ART CREATING THOUGHT PROVOKING AND TIMELESS ART. WHEN ASKED WHAT PUSHED HIM TO PURSUE ART PAST JUST A CASUAL HOBBY, MICHAEL STATED “I NEVER REALLY LOOKED AT ART AS A HOBBY. SINCE I WAS A LITTLE BOY, I KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO CREATE ART AS A CAREER.” IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT HIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL INFLUENCES URBAN LANDSCAPES AND INSPIRES WITHIN COMMUNITIES. VALIDATED REACHED OUT TO MICHAEL NORICE TO DISCUSS WHAT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MEANS TO HIM, HIP-HOP’S INFLUENCE ON HIS VISUAL ART AND FASHION AND WHAT’S NEXT.
“I never really looked at art as a hobby. Since I was a little boy, I knew that I was going to create art as a career. I knew that other artist drew for a living, so why couldn't I? So I worked towards that everyday.” -MICHAEL NORICE
VALIDATED: Growing up in Watts, California in the 80’s, what’s your earliest memory of visual art?
MICHAEL NORICE: My earliest memory of visual art was drawing on the doors of our house when I was two years old.
VALIDATED: Can you recall when your passion for art began to surface?
MICHAEL NORICE: In the beginning I thought that everyone could draw because it came so natural to me. I began to notice my passion for art at the age of 5 or 6.
VALIDATED: Growing up you endured poverty and homelessness all while being surrounded by drugs and gang violence. Coming from such humble beginnings, what gave you the drive to succeed?
MICHAEL NORICE: The issues that I faced growing up motivated me to push harder towards my goals. I knew that if I eliminated all of the negativity, then I could have a clear mind to create.
VALIDATED: What was it that pushed you to pursue art beyond just a causal hobby?
MICHAEL NORICE: I never really looked at art as a hobby. Since I was a little boy, I knew that I was going to create art as a career. I knew that other artist drew for a living, so why couldn't I? So I worked towards that everyday.
VALIDATED: Naturally gifted in drawing and painting, you graduated with a degree in art, followed by a degree in design and merchandising. How has your education broadened your “canvas”?
MICHAEL NORICE: My education has broadened my canvas because it allowed me to pull from a fashion sense of style in certain projects, all while combining my artistic ability at the same time.
VALIDATED: What does art and freedom of expression mean to you?
MICHAEL NORICE: A way of life.
VALIDATED: How has hip-hop influenced the visual art and fashion you create?
MICHAEL NORICE: I look at hip hop as my culture, so it dominates my art and fashion that I create. Even when I try not to include it, my hip hop cultue seems to be incorporated in every project that I do.
VALIDATED: What is your creative process?
MICHAEL NORICE: My creative process is usually getting into a calm space in my head, coming up with a visual, then, believe it or not, putting on R&B music. I cannot create artistically without R&B music. I don't like listening to Rap, Rock, or anything hard core while I'm painting.
VALIDATED: At age 23, you began speaking at schools in inner city communities about the importance of education and career building. What do you feel your responsibility is to the youth?
MICHAEL NORICE: At this point in my life it's my duty to give back to my community and the youth behind me. I love to encourage and teach the youth about the importance of education and business.
VALIDATED: What accolades have you received for your art and community work?
MICHAEL NORICE: Over the years I received many awards for my work in the community, including 9 awards from the Girls Club of Los Angeles, Appreciation awards from CA Senator's office, City of Carson, CA Legislature Assembly, City of Inglewood.
VALIDATED: You are the first African American to paint a mural in the city of Carson, how did that opportunity come about?
MICHAEL NORICE: I was just commissioned by Carson high's BSU to create a mural that represented their group on campus. After doing research on artist in that city, come to find out that there had never been any African American artist to do a mural in the city. At the time of creating the mural, I had no knowledge that I was the first. So I guess it was destined for me to have that title. lol
VALIDATED: What’s next for Michael Norice?
MICHAEL NORICE: I really don't like to give away my moves, but be looking out for The Mike Norice Art Gallery, a Jordan Downs Mural project, and more Artfully United murals. And also a huge mural unveiling for an NFL player. (can't give you too much! lol)
VALIDATED: Where can the readers find you on social media and the web?
MICHAEL NORICE: Instagram @mikenorice, Facebook Mike Norice and mikenorice.com