Focus Magazine of SWFL Swimsuit Heat Wave | Page 169

Rotorealism

of an Artist

By Ann Gordon

Barbara as a Blonde

If you have not yet seen Michael Beauchemin’s artwork then you have not
seen all there is to art. Michael’s work is best described as unique and nontraditional with a splash of autobiographical inspiration and a pinch of psychedelic flavor. Michael describes his own work as “semi-autobiographical;
an examination of real life events rendered non-referential, as time and
space is skewed in order to illustrate simultaneous observations and emotional reactions to the subject matter.” Others have described his artwork
as a marriage of photorealism with altered states of consciousness. The
truth is his work is an anomaly.
Why? Because of the nostalgic thread throughout many of his pieces, and
we all relate to nostalgia at some point in our lives we have had a longing
for the past or the “good old days.” But is this really true? Do we really
long for the past and was the past that perfect? This is the irony and these
are the conversations that Michael Beauchemin’s work explores that lead
him to the coinage of “Rotorealism,” where reality rotates around dream
miscalculations. Michael’s work presents juxtaposition; both thematic and
on canvas as his colors are fierce in contrast but as the same time there is
a unique synthesis and control.
Born in Connecticut, Michael was inspired by his father who was also an
artist and a draftsman. Michael remembers at an early age sitting in front
of the TV drawing his favorite characters from Saturday morning cartoons.
As early as twelve he participated in his first art show in Mystic, Connecticut. He graduated from high school and was awarded with the Rufus Rose
Scholarship and attended Massachusetts College of Art. He later moved
to Fort Lauderdale and worked for an ad agency. His first body of work
consisted of six-foot high canvases depicting Frankenstein’s monster and
bride, and a montage of sci-fi horror movie images outlined in menacing
black shadows.
Michael has received national recognition which provided opportunities to
meet Bob Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Peter Max and Jim Dine. Michael also met Elton John who once purchased one of his pieces. Michael,
who is usually gregarious, for the first time said he was tongue-tied. Subsequent art shows in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica afforded him
an opportunity to meet other celebrities.
Michael’s work gives us an exploration of many things; truth, surrealism,
inspiration and humor. He now resides in Southwest Florida where there
is increasing interest in the arts and so much community involvement for
special events that enrich everyone’s life.
FOCUS of SWFL 2014 169