"At one point in time, a train was the fastest transportation for medium and long-distance traveling. So, for many situations, a train was EVERYTHING. You wish to see someone? You would like to discover a new place? Work? School? You need a train. It wasn't just the speed, though. A train became capable of moving an enormous amount of weight, at speeds that could never be reached by a horse. Thus, trains became the main way to transport goods and most importantly, raw material (lumber, coal, steel, etc...). Yes, trains of all kinds help us achieve so many, many great things. However, for a train to move, one of things that it needs are rails. Now a days, train tracks are put down by a machine. Before that, this, extremely dangerous and grueling job was performed by Humans. My series, All Aboard celebrates not only the marvelous invention of the Train but also the men and women that sacrificed themselves to make our dreams come true......"
- Michaels Lyric
Prints are produced on demand on stretched canvas, acrylic plexi, or giclee fine art paper in a variety of sizes here in the United States.
Contact ArtLifting for larger size options.
San Francisco, CA
“Creating art is a wondrous journey. I never know where it will take me, but I get to share the end-result with anyone that feels my vibe.”
Michaels Lyric lives a life of creative innovation. His artistic discipline has guided him to become a successful author and artist, accomplishing these feats with only the use of his voice. Michaels has a severe form of Cerebral Palsy quadriplegic, meaning he does not have the use of his arms or legs. He has not allowed his disability to stop him from achieving his dreams. Additionally, he is recognized as the first author to write and publish a book only using voice recognition software since 1998. He uses the same software to create his artwork, write poetry, and produce original electronic music.
Michaels describes his visual art process as "Sculpture Photography." He begins by collecting unwanted images taken by friends and family, often feeling and exploring the connection of the undervalued. “Many times I have been labeled as ‘damaged goods’, feeling ignored and unwanted. I take the ignored photos, the unwanted photos, and turn them into beautiful paintings, paintings so bright, so warm with love that they can be ignored no longer.” Once an image has been selected, Michaels begins to sculpt it into what he sees and feels in it, writing a new narrative. This process takes weeks as each slight adjustment requires a complex string of voice commands.
Born in Moscow, Michaels first creative expression was through writing short stories and poetry. Visual art came to him later in life. “Change provides choices, opportunities.” Michaels Lyric reflects, “Change is neutral, and so it is up to me to give it a positive or a negative meaning.”
“I think that ArtLifting is the best example for all other organizations. When helping someone, the number one goal is to use their skills and talents, so they can help themselves.” He continues, “ That is exactly what ArtLifting does. It is important for me to be part of ArtLifting because I believe that my skills and talents are good enough to be a fully contributing member of this society, and that my current situation is just a case of major miscommunication.”
ArtLifting champions artists impacted by disabilities and housing insecurity by connecting their art with socially-conscious customers . Learn more here.