op Surrealist Michael Summers feeds his inner child through his artwork using mementos from the past. Inspired by imagery and experiences from his childhood, Summers captures the excitement and wonder of youth. “My entire color palette is pretty much based on inspiration from the past such as Pop Art and animated cartoons from the 60s and 70s,” he explains. Summers’ memories of laughing while watching his favorite cartoons give his work an uplifting aspect through his semiotic use of color. It is this whimsical style, juxtaposed with his love of robots, animals, antiques, steampunk, vintage animation and toys, comic books, pulp fiction novels and prized relics of all kinds that bring both Summers and his collectors a continuous sense of joy and adventure. Life becomes more difficult as one grows up. The weight of the world begins to affect even the strongest individuals. Through his bright and colorful paintings, Summers encourages all to nurture and bring out their inner child as he does. For research, he indulges his curiosity at the circus, the zoo, museums, and beaches — pretty much anywhere he can be carefree. In this way, Summers views life almost as a child would, an infinite journey waiting to be explored. He constantly

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strives to awaken viewers to the world around them, reminding them that it is not one’s age that should determine how one lives life. Things that once brought joy can be rediscovered and bring joy again. Summers’ emphasis on nostalgia is one of the components of his success. He re-envisions the past, combining new and old to make the ordinary extraordinary. He constantly looks back and analyzes memories and significant steps in his career, extracting valuable insight about who he was and who he wants to be. Once a struggling artist, Summers is now a recognized master with collectors around the world. Going beyond what is expected, he recently shared his talent on a broader scale, creating a series of impressive original murals.

Surrealism has enabled Summers to transpose his playful spirit seamlessly into his paintings. His compositions are deeply personal, at times reflecting his stance on life in general, instilling much-needed social messages along the way. His naturally upbeat personality is contagious, leaving all who meet him or view his work eager for more. Summers encourages all to live life to the fullest, everyday challenging himself to do the same.

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