Michael Safran shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Michael, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I wander while on the path. Improvisation and flexibility are essential to my craft. There’s the tried and true trail and an underlying structure, but I’m not one to limit myself with too many rules or borders. Going off is okay as long as I can find my way back to the path. In wandering I find a point of balance outside my normal comfort zone. This helps keeps things fresh and inspires new ideas. Staying too fixed on the path can lead to stagnation. It inhibits dreaming.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a multifaceted person with a variety of interests. As an artist I practice listening and attention. My original one of a kind hand made acrylic paintings and drawings are the fruit of my learning and experience. I like to say I am just being my natural self. I’m at a point of self-acceptance and have found some inner peace and outer clarity through a love for nature and music.
Comparing to others isn’t as important as just doing my own personal best and connecting to the heart, soul and a higher consciousness. Sincerity and being true to my own vision and journey despite the world’s call to conform is an important part of who I am. I might sacrifice some popularity but I know my friends are genuine. Quality often supersedes quantity. Artistic integrity serves as a true foundation of strength that makes one resilient in today’s tough environment.
Currently I’m working on doing more brick and mortar exhibitions and staying up in real time galleries. Artwork essentially needs the depth, action and placement of existing in the context of an actual environment. There it can breathe and merge with all of its surroundings. The artist becomes a conveyor of space as the artwork develops a life of its own and finds power and connection.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I believe in my true self enough to not let the world, especially a false one, tell me who I am or have to be. I prefer being genuine and honest over putting on masks and disguises. Sometimes this requires stepping away from the world, and why I like going to the mountains. To understand the world one must occasionally go beyond it. Unconventional, enigmatic, and autonomous are all positive words that help define my attitude.
The individual is often misunderstood in our society. There’s nothing selfish or negative about being authentic and embracing one’s own unique perspective. The creative individual, in my view, is a whole self fully integrated into an awareness of its inter-connection and inter-dependence with nature and others. From here the possibilities expand and multiply.
There are behaviors and attitudes from childhood that one outgrows, but a sense of playfulness, imagination, and wonder aren’t things I’m willing to sacrifice in the name of adulthood. I’ve always been curious, creative and introspective. Being a true artistic channel often requires remembering the age of innocence and gratitude for the simple things in life.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I struggle with social anxiety, and too much personal attention. It’s not so much that I’m shy or afraid, but I’m just not wired for a lot of chit chat or getting too immersed in loud or large gatherings. I’m a quiet person who appreciates solitude. I do like talking to other individuals and in smaller groups where thoughtful and meaningful conversations and friendships can develop. Not following the herd isn’t on the common notions of success plan, but I’ve adapted and found a life around it.
In my youth I was into playing guitar and joining bands, but was never really comfortable being on stage or remembering songs. I took up painting as a way to best express my creative potential which opened up new doors and pathways. My artwork can perform and get the attention without me having to be personally present. It has its own life force.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That people in general are more introspective and curious about understanding their world and reality. I used to think more were interested in art, possibilities, and opening their minds. Those who actually listen and want to have a discussion seem an exception more than the rule. Maybe it’s a fear of the unknowns, and partly because of our culture’s preoccupation with money and superficial status. The creative individual can get suppressed.
I think there are different ideas of success, and what it means to be well to do. Some are rich in spirit. Soul money can’t be spent so much on material things, but in having unique and enlightening experiences and connections. Good health too of course is a form of wealth, and knowledge a true gem.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
The possibilities of an unadulterated reality, awareness and consciousness, but there is still someone there. In essence that is the true self, creative individual and artist that I talk about. In going beyond the world one can also move past the relative conditions of material status. It’s a self that is more on the level in all its relations. Sometimes one leads and teaches on the path, and other times follows and learns. “We’re all just walking each other home” as teacher Ram Dass once said.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mjsaf.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_j_safran
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjsaf/
