We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mike Pyro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mike below.
Mike, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
Hmmm, that’s a new one. It’s weird I’d say, growing up my family was rather quiet and not too ‘adventurous’ in the sense of they really didn’t or wouldn’t take too many risks. They are the type of people that like things pre-planned and no surprises. I’ve always been the black sheep on the family, both immediate and outer family, so much so that I genuinely felt that I was adopted for many years. it wasn’t until later in life that I saw booth my parents in me, but that’s another story. So feeling like the odd man out, I naturally did things differently from my parents/family. That’s not to say I consciously decided to do things differently, no, I just naturally did things pretty much the exact opposite way my family did. So that being said I naturally pushed the envelope as a kid, then skateboarding came into my life. There I learned the only way to learn certain tricks was to completely commit myself. All in or nothing. I learned that in order to progress I had to face the fear and be willing to crash and burn so to speak. Skateboarding helped to grasp and overcome the fear of physical harm, which as any skater will tell you, happened more than a few times…it’s all part of progression. As I grew older I used this understanding and ability to face fear and take risks in other areas of my life. Now it’s just a natural part of existence for me to ‘push’ things if needed. I have a sturdy belief in myself and my abilities which helps to make what seem like a huge risk to someone else, is more of a calculated move in my eyes. In life today one must take risks to get ahead. If you’re racked with fear or play it safe for security, yeah maybe you won’t lose or get hurt, but you won’t thrive either. To me that’s just existing. Get to know yourself and what you are capable of, and the only way to be able to do that is by taking risks and pushing boundaries. Take enough risks and you become comfortable in doing so.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Im a multi faceted person. In my art, style, music taste, likes/dislikes etc, so I don’t fit easily into one group or package so to speak. I’m an artist, That is the most general term to fits. It a Tattooer but not just a Tattooer. I’m a graffiti writer, but not just a graffiti writer. Muralist, graphic logo, designer etc. etc. I have had and have my hand in many different bags so to speak. The creativity. The giving birth to something that never was just a few moment before. I thrive off of that. An artist isn’t about the tools one uses, but rather it’s a mindset, it’s the way you look at the world. I believe Rick Rubin said that, or something to that effect. I love creating. My two favorite areas of creativity, ones that capture me, ones that I will do until the day I die…or at least as long as I am physically able to do are Tattooing and Murals. Both are magical in their own way. It’s funny because they can be seen as polar opposites but I do not see it that way. Yeah, On one hand you have a piece of art that is small and so extremely personal for one person and chances are very few people will ever see it, while on the other hand you have a vey large, sometimes many stories tall wall that the entire public can see and enjoy, nut no one person holds it as theirs. Completely opposite yet for me they are very similar in the feeling it is to create, execute and see out in the wild. When I am tattooing I am hyper focused (even though I may be talking and having fun) that’s is all my brain will entertain. I lose sight of everything and the only thing that matters is the outcome of the piece….well for a mural it gets the same pin pointed focus and attention, though not as serious, but just as focused and just as engrossed. It’s really the only 2 art avenues that makes the world go away like that, as if I am transported out of my own body to have no distractions in my head. I’ve been painting walls for 40 plus years and tattooing for 20 plus years and both have, and continue to have that effect on me. I’m a lifer. I don’t dabble, I pour my soul into my craft. Recently I have been building an online store for some of the art that has taken over the studio. Here I offer original hand painted studies and proofs as well as all my available prints and a host of merch like stickers, pins etc. In addition to that and all the normal offerings (shirts, buttons etc), I am trying to have a slightly different approach to my store by offering something that no other artist/graffiti type shop has to offer: I have and am constantly adding more graffiti collectables. Things like vintage cans, toys, vintage signs, miniature billboards, one of a kind items. Things for collectors that are difficult to find, all graffiti related.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Ok, that’s an interesting question…looking back I feel for me the most important qualities would have to be determination. In my childhood and younger years it took shape as stubbornness but as it evolved into what it truly was and that is determination and drive. If someone tells me something can’t be done, but in my mind I can see a path, I have to do it. My way. Not to say ‘I told you so’ no, that’s for rookies and insecure people. Rather to prove to myself that my ways of deduction and examination along with me having a different perspective than most people, combine to creations and fixes that others couldn’t see before. I’ve had many setbacks in life, lost many years so my determination was and is key for me. Along with determination I’d have to say another important quality or skill is versatility. I can do a multitude of things, all at a professional level. I’ve never been one to pigeonhole myself into one arena I like trying and mastering different things, teaching myself new tricks, because I adapt all these areas to help in whatever I am doing currently. For instance, I use woodworking skills to fabricate my own panels (not always, but I do make quite a few). I use my understanding and knowledge of production and printing to help me create art that works for whatever avenue of print I may be going down at the moment. Things like that. I’ve done so much while nurturing an art career, it often felt like I had 2 careers at the same time, which in a sense I did.
Most all the qualities and skills I have were learned or grown as matured throughout my life on this journey. Some came naturally, some took work.
One thing which is helpful in this day and age, one that only comes through involvement, is my knowledge of the history of Graffiti in the Los Angeles area. It means nothing to most people but in my line of work it is invaluable. I can draw on inspiration from people long forgotten. I can see a style and instantly know the history of how it came to be and who were been called a walking encyclopedia of the History of LA Graffiti. Eventually I will write a book. It’s been heavy on my mind recently, but life interrupts. The only way to obtain any of this information is to have lived it, there is no other way. With graffiti so popular, knowing where and how everything has come from helps me to create something new. So of the top of my head, those are a few areas/skills etc which have been and continue to be important in my ev evolving career and life as an artist.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one obstacle that I’m currently facing is quite honestly medical stuff. I have a few medical issues going on that requires long term treatment such as doing chemo and and taking a couple meds which I absolutely can’t stand. So yeah, I’d say that’s the thing that’s been holding me back most recently because I hate the way I feel with the meds of after chemo, but it’s something that’s needed periodically. In a way it’s been making me helping me to be more creative because I’m in such a rut thinking about it all I just kinda like check out and bounce the other way, and get super creative for days on end. So yeah, that’s definitely my biggest obstacle , my own body/health. I’m not 20 anymore though I act like I am. lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mikepyro.com
- Instagram: @mike_pyro
- Facebook: Mike Pyro
- Twitter: @pyrowca
- Other: (That’s plenty already)
Image Credits
All images by me
