Exclusive Interview with Michiel Baumgarten

Would you like to escape from a world that can be so dull and boring? Well then lets introduce you to one of the many folks who help create that escape, Michiel Baumgarten! This colorful artist hails from the Netherlands and in the back of the creative minds of people everywhere. So with no further or due, we at SpankyStokes give you the exclusive interview with Michiel Baumgarten!

1.Where were you born and raised?
I am born and raised in Groningen, the Netherlands and i still live there.

2.When did you realize that art was your calling?
That’s only a few years ago but i think it was always there.
As a child i was pretty good in drawing and i love to do it (my dad saved all my drawings from my youth in maps and there are alot) but in my puberty i lost the fun in it a bit and I got more into other stuff like music.

But I was always making little illustrations when i was in class listening to the teacher.

And then a few years ago i think 3 of 4 i just started trying some stuff in Adobe Illustrator and trying to make more graphic style illustratons and i really liked how they turn out. And short after that i came up on the Play Imaganative Trexi ‘A better tomorrow’ competion and thought why not give it a try. I was really suprised my submission was chosen to be one of the best 80 that came up for public voting. And after 2 weeks of public voting and some influence by judges my character got chosen to as the winner of the competion and my Trexi got produced. This was the best start i could dream of for my carrier as a Illustrator/Designer.

After that I knew art is my calling. And i just started making more illustratons, designs and paintings and in 2008 i started my own design company MCBaumgarten Design.

3.What are some major influences in your work?
I think all the postive things in my life are a influence on my work:
Love, Family, Friends, Music, Movies, Food but also things like:
Art, nature cars, colours i see in everyday life, animals etc.
And a very cold glass of 7up J

4.When you have free time (If ever) what do you like to do?
I like to play games on my xbox360 or just hang out with friends or my girlfriend and go to concerts and movies.

5.Do you have a certain place you like to go in order to escape the stress of the world?
For me driving in a car is verry relaxing specialy with nice sunny wheater and listening to some good music on the car stereo.

6.What is currently in your Music Playlist?
Jah Melodie – Thanks and Praises (produced by my brother Slimmah Sound J)

7.Ever wanted to be anything else other than an artist?
A racecar driver but i’m a affraid that is never going to happen. :-P
So i just play Racedriver GRID alot in my spare time.

8.What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
I got some Tee’s comming out verry soon. And i am also working on some other stuff to sell in my online shop that is comming soon. Things like Prints, Stickers and stuff.

9.Got anything to say to your fans?
Thanks for supporting my art and i hope you like my new stuff coming out!

Now was that a colorful trip or what?! If Michiel isnt one of the most creative dudes out there, then I don't know who is! After all who says that 7UP is a major influence, none other than MCBaumgarten! So if you dig Michiel's stuff then check out his MySpace, Flickr, and Website! Now for Michiel's website you may need a translator of some sort, but trust me it's well worth it! Hope you enjoyed the interview!