Collectors Gene Radio: Michael McGregor - Reviving Still Life & Collecting Every Day Beauty
Host: Cameron Ross Steiner
Guest: Michael McGregor
Release Date: August 28, 2024
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Collectors Gene Radio, host Cameron Ross Steiner welcomes artist and avid collector Michael McGregor. Fresh off the release of his latest book, Room Service, McGregor delves into his artistic journey, his passion for collecting everyday objects, and how these elements intertwine to shape his creative expression. The conversation explores the depths of McGregor's collection habits, his approach to art, and the seamless blend of nostalgia and functionality in his work.
Michael's Artistic Beginnings and the Flower Shop Influence
Michael McGregor opens up about his early experiences working at a flower shop, a seemingly unconventional starting point for an artist. Contrary to what one might expect, McGregor found profound inspiration in the chaotic yet colorful environment of the shop.
"The flower shop was always chill... super colorful and a good chaotic energy that maybe stuck with me a little bit."
— Michael McGregor [03:09]
This vibrant backdrop cultivated his appreciation for diverse colors and arrangements, laying the foundation for his modern-day still life creations. Working alongside his family and the charming Irma, a sweet elderly colleague, McGregor likens his early workplace to a sitcom, highlighting the positive and formative atmosphere that fostered his creative instincts.
Reinventing Oneself in the 30s: The Role of Collecting
Moving into his 30s, McGregor discusses a pivotal shift from a stable office job to embracing his artistic passions. This transition was fueled by his lifelong affinity for various cultural facets and his identity as a collector.
"I was just like, am I gonna really spend my life sending emails... you have no time to enjoy yourself."
— Michael McGregor [05:10]
Embracing his role as a collector and creative allowed McGregor to reinvent himself, leveraging his collections not merely as items but as integral components of his art. This reinvention embodies the essence of collecting: evolving interests and the continuous acquisition of items that reflect personal growth and changing tastes.
Integrating Collections into Art
McGregor's approach to collecting is deeply intertwined with his artistic process. Unlike traditional collectors who might place their items on pedestals, McGregor integrates his collections into his daily life and artwork seamlessly.
"I'm not really a collector who puts things on a pedestal or in a box. I'm like a functionality collector."
— Michael McGregor [06:15]
His collections—ranging from books and records to matchbooks and lighters—appear organically in his paintings, reflecting his lived experiences and relationships. This functional approach ensures that his art remains grounded in reality, capturing the mundane beauty of everyday objects.
"The stuff I collect is usually tied to some sort of memory I have or some person I have."
— Michael McGregor [07:20]
Through this lens, McGregor's art becomes a narrative medium, telling stories of personal significance and the relationships tied to the objects he cherishes.
Traveling as a Source of Inspiration
Travel plays a crucial role in McGregor's creative process. Whether residing in Athens or exploring the French Riviera, new environments provide fresh perspectives and visual stimuli that infuse his work with diverse influences.
"I don't like, go out and do plein air painting and try to make something that I'm looking at directly. I usually like when it's kind of mangled a little by memory and time."
— Michael McGregor [13:38]
This reflective approach allows him to abstract and reinterpret his experiences, blending them with his artistic vision. His time in Greece, for instance, inspired his Grease Notebook, a collection that showcases the overlooked beauty of common objects in Greek culture.
Spotlight on Michael's Works: Room Service and Grease Notebook
Room Service
Room Service is a compilation of still life drawings executed on hotel stationery, capturing the ephemeral beauty of everyday items found in hotel settings. Cameron expresses her admiration for the book:
"Room Service is easily one of my favorite books in my collection. It never gets old, and we'll definitely talk about it more."
— Cameron Ross Steiner [01:25]
Michael elaborates on the book's creation, explaining his decade-long collection of hotel paper and how it serves as the foundation for his drawings. The repetition and variation in his depictions reflect his deep connection to the objects and the memories they evoke.
Grease Notebook
In discussing the Grease Notebook, McGregor highlights how simple drawings of commonplace items can tell intricate stories.
"There's a bunch of things in this book that are so deeply ingrained in my life that I've never looked at them."
— Michael McGregor [17:16]
This project underscores his ability to find significance in the ordinary, offering viewers a new appreciation for objects they might typically overlook.
Exhibition Experiences and Artistic Philosophy
McGregor shares his experiences exhibiting his work globally, emphasizing the importance of personal vision over conforming to regional expectations.
"I usually just think about it as an exhibition and how I want the exhibition to be, and try not to think too much about the city."
— Michael McGregor [09:28]
He cites his Private Party show in LA as an example of how different objects can coexist harmoniously within a narrative framework, each piece contributing to a cohesive yet diverse collection.
Ownership vs. Hunting: The Collector's Dilemma
When discussing the essence of collecting, McGregor touches upon the balance between the joy of ownership and the often-frustrating hunt for coveted items.
"I hate hunting, but I also kind of think that things come and go. So ownership is like... But I got over it quickly."
— Michael McGregor [35:08]
He reveals a unique philosophy where relinquishing the active hunt leads to items finding their way to him more naturally, suggesting a serendipitous element in his collection process.
Collector's Dream Rundown
In the concluding segment, Cameron engages McGregor in the Collector's Dream Rundown, a series of personal questions that provide deeper insights into his collecting habits and aspirations.
-
What's the one that got away?
McGregor recounts the unfortunate loss of a cherished gold Hydra lighter cover, a symbol of his connection to the island where it was lost.
"I bent over to grab something, and it fell out of my shirt pocket into this, like, rock pile. And a friend and I spent, like, 25 minutes pulling rocks up trying to find this lighter... that's gone."
— Michael McGregor [29:52] -
What's on deck?
Excited about the potential acquisition of a Swarovski-crystal-covered cherry Coke can from artist Sam Keller, McGregor eagerly anticipates this addition to his collection.
"I'm really hoping that this... is a cherry Coke can... and I'm really hoping that that becomes available to me."
— Michael McGregor [31:03] -
The unobtainable
McGregor expresses admiration for Henri Matisse's Still Life with Pomegranates, a painting he deeply resonates with but recognizes as unattainable for personal collection.
"I would probably try to... That would be the unattainable. Unless I do some sort of art heist."
— Michael McGregor [32:00] -
Page One Rewrite
Given unlimited resources, McGregor dreams of collecting sailboats, particularly wooden ones, envisioning an expansive collection that embodies his love for craftsmanship and the sea.
"I would probably collect sailboats. Wooden sailboats, specifically."
— Michael McGregor [33:03] -
The goat
McGregor looks up to Trevor Jackson, a British graphic designer and collector, for his sophisticated taste and the meticulous care he dedicates to his collections.
"He's a great collector of things for decades and... his collection is probably psychotic."
— Michael McGregor [33:50] -
The hunt or the ownership
While McGregor dislikes the hunting aspect of collecting, he values ownership and the stories attached to each item.
"If I try not to hunt for things, they find themselves to me in a much easier way."
— Michael McGregor [35:26] -
Do you feel you were born with the collector's gene?
Embracing his lifelong passion for collecting, McGregor confidently affirms his innate inclination towards gathering and cherishing items that hold personal significance.
"I guess I must be. I mean I've collected like music since I was a kid..."
— Michael McGregor [35:53]
Conclusion
Michael McGregor's compelling narrative on Collectors Gene Radio offers a rich exploration of how collecting and art intertwine to create meaningful, evocative work. His insights into the balance between functionality and aesthetics, the serendipity of ownership, and the profound impact of everyday objects provide listeners with a deeper appreciation for the collector's journey. Through his books Room Service and Grease Notebook, McGregor invites us to see beauty in the mundane and cherish the stories that everyday items carry.
For those inspired by Michael McGregor's approach to collecting and art, Room Service is a must-read addition to your collection.
Thank you for listening to this detailed summary of the Collectors Gene Radio episode featuring Michael McGregor. For more inspiring conversations, tune in to future episodes of the show.