Meet Lourans Mikhail | Multimedia Artist

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

Hi Lourans, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My journey has been one of profound transformation, marked by a 13-year tenure in the U.S. Marines. I found a renewed purpose in art during my college years while studying for my bachelors in graphic design.

Delving into marketing and advertising within graphic design, I realized that I could not, in good conscience, lend my skills and integrity to companies and brands I did not morally endorse. This revelation prompted a shift in my professional aspirations. Despite the allure of financial incentives or acclaim associated with certain campaigns, logos, or designs, I chose to forge an independent path.

Art, for me, became a healing force. Embracing this head on, regardless of its undulating challenges, became non-negotiable. The discipline required to motivate myself, whether in pursuing art show opportunities, murals, participating in artist residencies, responding to open calls, applying for grants, designing my website, or managing the multiple aspects of art and merchandise shipping and packaging, has not only shaped my artistic endeavors but has also become an intrinsic part of my identity. The dedication to the craft is a testament to my unwavering commitment to an authentic and purposeful artistic journey.

Ultimately art has healed me and caused me to address my own male toxicity and continue to learn and grow. I love working with new materials and I quickly started sculpting in clay, wood, metal and stone. I started learning how to paint in oil, and now I have started using technology like lighting and other electrical elements into my art peices. 3D printing and sculpting along with using laser cutters are the newest aspects I’m learning to expand my repertoire. Growing up I was heavily influenced by Hip-Hop and now I even produce my own music, which also allowed me to create background music for multiple NFTs for other artists as well as utilizing my original music in my own videos.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my artistic journey, I’ve always sought to carve out a unique path and cultivate originality. One of my series, titled “Different Strokes,” is a nod to both pop culture influences from my upbringing in the 80s and the wordplay on the famous show. In this series, I sculpt brush handles using various materials like wood and ceramic, replacing traditional bristles with different end products to create a final art piece.

What sets my approach apart is the use of the brush itself as the ultimate art piece, challenging the conventional role of brushes as mere tools in the creation process. By bringing the underdog into the spotlight, I aim to break the studio confines and redefine the significance of these everyday objects.

Despite the pressure to conform to popular trends for the sake of sales, I am driven to flip the narrative and challenge preconceived notions. “Different Strokes” becomes a vehicle for exposing the true intentions behind objects such as guns, cigarettes, and the makeup industry, and addressing issues like systemic racism.

The art scene, at times, resists such challenges to the status quo, but I firmly believe that all art is inherently political or social. Whether depicting flowers, turtles, or societal issues, “art should comfort the uncomfortable and disturb the comfortable”, as wisely stated by Cesar Cruz.

Starting and still pursuing this journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned the value of prioritizing personal happiness over financial gain. Remaining original and offering a fresh perspective is my commitment, even if it means speaking to people posthumously. As an Assyrian immigrant challenging expectations associated with my ethnicity, my experience in the Marines empowers me to defy those who insist on silencing diverse voices and maintaining the status quo.

My logo is also a stray from the norm, a graffiti-inspired monogram of the letters L and M, symbolizes the deconstruction of the crown, a common motif in graffiti often associated with Basquiat. This imagery signifies the belief that no one is beneath or above another—we are all equal and human, regardless of ethnicity or place of birth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to end the idea that people are self-taught because I have been mentored or asked plenty of artists’ opinions. One in particular is Daniel Toledo who goes by Mr Toledo. He has helped me with his insight into his obstacles, color theories, and learning oil techniques or just pushing me whether he knows it or not. Others have included Genesis the Grey Kid, and gallery owner and curator Johnny Tran of Thumb Print Gallery in La Jolla, California. As for organizations, I think Paint Memphis 123 has been instrumental in my development for creating large-scale murals. I have painted more murals in that city than anywhere else. So they are definitely pivotal in my growth for that.

Website: https://www.louransmikhail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LouransMikhail

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouransMikhail

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa6XM3F6fTub0H6Ef9ADSWA/

Other: https://soundcloud.com/Lou-campanella