Visionary art: Michael Garfield to present first solo show in Santa Fe

Michael Garfield has found his place.

After living in Texas and Colorado, Santa Fe is a place where the artist is coming into his own.

He will have a solo exhibit called, “Future Fossils,” which is being set up at Eye on the Mountain Gallery in Santa Fe. An opening reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The show will continue to run through June 1.

“When I moved to Santa Fe, I met Rachel Houseman and she’s spectacular,” Garfield says. “I really appreciate there being a place for visionary art in this town. Living in Colorado and Texas, there were large scenes of artists coming out of this tradition — art about dreams and the psychedelic experience. Here it’s muted by the more conventional gallery style.”

Visionary art: Michael Garfield to present first solo show in Santa Fe

Garfield describes his work as visionary art.

He draws inspiration from his background as a psychonaut and scientific illustrator to make everything from murals to apparel, body art to book and album covers.

Garfield was intrigued by Houseman’s art when she had a show at Ohori’s Coffee in Santa Fe.

“I was resonating with this artist,” he says. “I started showing up at their openings. I had never had my own show and began talking to Rachel. She used to be on Agua Fria and parking was difficult. When she moved to Canyon Road, it’s much bigger and I fell in love with the space. Rachel was pretty quick to get me in. It was a five-year process and my first solo show in Santa Fe.”

Garfield says there will be around 20 pieces in the show. He’s still figuring out which pieces work well together in the space.

“They all need to live together cohesively,” he says.

Garfield has gone from painting at festivals to being shown on Canyon Road.

He began working as an artist about 17 years ago and currently works with paint markers.

“I have that background as a scientific illustrator and natural history,” he says. “I’m really inspired by classic 19th century scientific illustration. I work in a style that is vibrant, gestural and psychedelic. Botanical illustrations and dinosaurs are at the forefront.”

Aside from being an artist, Garfield is also a musician.

The two mediums inform each other.

“I still listen to music while I work,” he says. “I find the music creeps into the work and the work is visually musical.”