You may have seen him walking around town, or may have worked with him at one of the kitchens on the Square. But anyone who’s ever met Michael Carter knows he’s 1) hard-working, 2) optimistic and good-natured, and 3) passionate about his art. That’s why we were happy to hear he has an art show on March 10 at The Wine Bar. There will be an artist’s reception starting around 2 pm, and the show will be up from 4–10 pm; admission is free for all ages.
This exhibition focuses on entertainers and figures from the “Prohibition Era,” featuring faces such as Thelonious Monk and Bessie Smith (both pictured at right), plus Son House, Charley Patton, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Chaplin, and (our personal favorite, pictured on the cover) Billie Holiday. He’ll also have a few pieces from some of his former series (like William Faulkner, pictured at right, and a few Robert Johnsons). The larger pieces in the Prohibition Era series will be limited to three each. Michael wanted us to mention that his artwork is priced so that everyone should be able to afford it. And that the cover art he designed for us (like most of the things he does in life) is dedicated to his son, Jordan Michael Carter. Also, you should know that his 34th birthday is the day before the show! —Rebecca Long
P.S. To see photos of some of the work Carter’s done in the past, click here.
Name: Michael Carter, a.k.a. “M.I.C. Harder ‘9000.” It’s a play on my real name. And the 9000? Well, since we have a “3000” in rap, well, I’ll be next level in art: “9000.”
Age & Astrological Sign: 34, Pisces, 3-9-1981. What’s up to all the Pisces in March.
Favorite Quotation: “It’s hard to love all things under all conditions.”
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, and Tillatoba, Miss.
How long have you lived in Oxford? Over ten years.
Artistic Style: I do oil paints and stencils; however, I do say my style is a fusion. Illustrations, elements of graffiti, comic, and folk art. Raw art style, as some folks have told me.
Favorite Medium: Watercolor paper.
Favorite Artistic Tool or Implement: An old Pioneer case holder for my tools to make anything happen, from lead to blade.
Art Education: NWCC in Senatobia back in 2000, for Advertising Design and Art.
Where do you get your ideas & inspiration? A lot of things, but it always falls back to music. Without that, it’s the people around me.
Favorite project you’ve completed? Stax vs. Motown project
Can we see any of your art on display? At Bottletree Bakery, the Blind Pig, and The Wine Bar.
Three ideas you’d like to explore in your art: I always like to sprinkle cryptic icons of ho-bo signs, morse code, and numbers so there’s more eye candy to look at.
Favorite Artists: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Retina, Dan23
Favorite Bands: Funkadelic, CCR, The White Stripes, The 3-6, Bad Brains, and Bobby Womack.
Favorite Books/Authors: Ponder On This, From the Writings of Alice A. Bailey and Djwhal Khul
What do you love about Oxford, and what do you wish you could change? The Oxford scene is so comfortable; it’s a trap to keep you away, or you just end up staying. Also, I would like to see more street art and the break away from normal. 
–
–
This article was originally printed in The Local Voice #224 (published March 5, 2015.)
To download a PDF of this issue, click here.
