Dos Folkies Gallery: Outsider - Self-taught - Art Brut

About the Artist

Michael Banks, like Eric Legge is part of the new generation of self-taught artists.  Like Eric, Michael has been creating art since childhood.  A native of Alabama, Michael was encouraged by his mother in those early years to make his art.  But, after his mother’s death in 1992 Michael turned away from his art and sunk into five years of depression.  In 1997, with the support of friends, like gallery owner Marcia Weber, and his own inner drive to create, Michael took up his art again.  One of his signature techniques is painting on tar-covered wood and often etching into the painted surface.  The faces and scenes he paints are allegorical, darkly humorous and often disturbing.  He has created a visual language that is all his own and rooted deep in the psyche.  Michael paints full time now and is highly prolific.  He has shown in galleries and museums around the country, and his works are highly sought after by collectors in the United States and internationally.  Michael’s works breathe with life from the hands of someone who was born to be an artist.