Written by Jamie Siebrase from the Westword:
You can find art all over town — not just on gallery walls. In this series, we'll be looking at some of the local artists who serve up their work in coffeehouses and other non-gallery businesses around town.
"He (Mike Rogers) teaches drawing, photography and AP art at a school that’s gotten some negative attention from local news outlets. But Rogers knows that mainstream media rarely tells the whole story: “I think we have some of the most talented students, and I think we have one of the best art programs around,” he says.
Art wasn't Rogers's first subject. The Colorado native had been doing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) since he was six, and at seventeen he started teaching it. “I decided I really liked teaching, but I was better at art than at fighting, so, yeah, I decided to go to school for art,” he explains. In the beginning his own art was more like “a glorified hobby,” as Rogers puts it, but soon he wasn’t content just teaching art — he was ready to create some, too.
So Rogers enrolled in a masters program at Regis University, where he specialized in painting and photography and reconnected with Metro State buddy and fellow masters student Scott Zbryk, an Evergreen artist and teacher with a knack for three-dimensional drawings.
Now, with summers off from teaching and some extra training, Rogers has found ample time to help his students and also work on his own art, which has appeared in a variety of venues around town including the VFW Post I gallery, My Hair Trip Salon, Funky Buddha Lounge and Epernay Lounge. His work has also been juried into shows at CORE New Art Space and Gallery at Studio J. Beyond the physical world, Rogers shows his work on Facebook and YouTube, where he posts time-lapse videos that capture the artist in action."
See the entire Westword article Here
Below are some more questions and answers about my art:
1. What motivates you to create art?
Art has always been integral to who I am; it's more than a passion—it's a part of my identity. Creating brings me a sense of fulfillment and peace. Teaching art further motivates me, as I'm constantly inspired by my students and their creative journeys. Sharing my work on social media also connects me to a broader community. The support and feedback I receive from those who comment, like, or purchase my pieces remind me of art’s power to resonate and inspire. I can’t imagine life without art—it’s my way of finding balance and expressing what words can’t capture.
2. How has your style changed over time?
I began with a focus on portraits, but over time, particularly during the pandemic, I started exploring landscapes and animal subjects. These themes helped me channel feelings of resilience and solitude, as reflected in pieces like my humpback whale painting. This piece, depicting a whale alone in the vast ocean yet touched by sunlight, symbolizes isolation with a glimmer of hope. My recent work leans toward themes of tranquility and peace. However, I still enjoy portraiture when there's a personal connection or story involved, like my recent portrait of a Korean War veteran, commissioned by his daughter to honor his memory.
3. What influenced your change in style?
My artistic evolution was influenced by various factors. In my early days, I drew inspiration from artists like Fabian Perez and Garmash, whose emotive portraiture guided my approach to human expressions. The influence of Bob Ross also left a lasting impact; I would paint along with him as a child, instilling in me a love for nature's tranquility. As I began to explore new subjects, the feelings of isolation and resilience that emerged during the pandemic drove me toward landscapes and animals. Now, I’m working on a series focused on themes of serenity, reflecting my search for calm in the chaos of everyday life.
4. What was your first professional experience as an artist?
My first real experience as an artist began with art shows in college. Although I sold some pieces in high school, college was where I started to establish myself professionally. Those early exhibits and sales helped me grow both as an artist and as a professional, teaching me the value of my work and how to connect with an audience. This experience laid the groundwork for my career and my current journey as both an artist and educator.
5. How do you conceptualize and plan a piece?
Inspiration is my starting point, often sparked by personal or societal events. During the pandemic, I created pieces that mirrored the turbulent emotions of that time. The humpback whale painting symbolizes isolation but also resilience, with rays of sunlight breaking through the water, suggesting hope. Similarly, my painting of a lone tree standing amidst a charred forest reflects strength in the face of destruction. These themes help me convey complex emotions, blending imagery with meaning. Lately, my focus has shifted to finding tranquility, which guides the mood and color palette of my current pieces.
6. What has been your most interesting or most difficult medium to work with?
Oil painting, while challenging, is a medium that captivates me. I was introduced to it during my degree, and its depth and versatility kept me hooked. I occasionally work with acrylics for their quicker drying time and health benefits, but oil allows me to create a richness and texture that’s hard to achieve with other mediums. Mastering oil painting has been a journey, but it’s one that I find deeply rewarding.
7. What is your dream project?
My dream project is more about creating a lifestyle around art than a single piece. Ideally, I’d like to have my own gallery in downtown Denver where I can share my work without financial pressure. Alternatively, I could envision myself on a beach—maybe in Hawaii or Italy—selling art to tourists and connecting with people from all over. It would be incredible to make art for the pure joy of it, meeting new people and sharing the stories behind each piece, much like I do now but with a broader audience and perhaps even more freedom.
8. How do you handle criticism?
Criticism can be difficult, as art is such a personal expression. In my early years, my artist friends and I would critique each other, which, though challenging, helped me grow a thicker skin. I also gained valuable insights from exhibiting my work. During gallery shows, I would listen to people’s candid reactions, often without revealing that I was the artist. This feedback, sometimes hard to hear, ultimately helped me understand how my art resonated with others. Learning to view criticism constructively has been essential in my development as an artist.
9. In your opinion, what is art's role in society?
Art brings color, diversity, and individuality to the world; it makes life more beautiful and interesting. Imagine a world where every building, every street, and every space was purely functional and devoid of creativity—it would feel lifeless. Beyond aesthetics, art has a therapeutic role, offering a means of expression, reflection, and healing. For me, art is a way to process emotions and communicate in a way that words often can’t.
10. What advice do you have for artists trying to find inspiration?
Inspiration can be found in many places. I often browse through art on Instagram or TikTok, saving works that catch my eye to create a digital inspiration board. When I feel uninspired, I revisit this board, which serves as a visual catalyst. Sometimes, even if I only have a rough idea, I start working on it, knowing that the act of creation often leads to further inspiration. I always keep multiple projects in progress due to the drying time of oil paint, which keeps my momentum going. My advice is to keep that momentum alive—often, inspiration strikes when you’re already in the act of creating.