We Sit Down With Award Winning Author, Designer, & Artist Michael Storrings

Global Glam’s Editor In Chief Christine Philip and Editor-at-Large Caroline Vazzana sits down with award-winning author, designer, and artist Michael Storrings as he tells us more about where he gets his creative inspiration, his upcoming collaborations, and new product line. You have probably seen Michael’s whimsical city landscape illustrations at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, and Bloomingdale’s to name a few. Before we began the interview, he asked us if we had a logo, and we told him that we do not necessarily have a logo, but that our publication is written in Modern no. 20 font. Michael tell us, “oh, I know that font exactly!”. He is truly a talented genius with an awe-inspiring portfolio. Scroll to the end to see how you can win Michael’s exclusive new Coloring Book.

Michael: Thank you for having me! 

Caroline: We will be working on some special artwork to show you at the end. So stay tuned!

Christine: So Michael, Can you tell us how you got started and when you started drawing?

Michael: So I started drawing when I was very young and I had always loved to draw. I have been drawing ever since and I kept a journal.  I always knew that I wanted to go into art. I always knew exactly what I wanted to do.  Architecture was something that I always thought about. But reality set in and I thought is art really the field to get into.  When I made that decision, I went to Parsons School of Design in New York and I just loved it and I felt right at home.  It was where I belonged.  New York is such an amazing place and ever since I been here, I really feel like this is my town.  I grew up in upstate New York and the city wasn’t too far away but it was two different worlds. Everyday I walk out of my apartment and I feel so lucky to be here.  Everyday is an inspiration- the sights, the colors.  All of the things the city has to offer. The cultures mixed together.  It is just an amazing life.

Christine: Besides New York, what are your go-to inspirational cities?

Michael: Paris is my main one. In fact, this summer I’m planning to go to study at the atelier.  I’ll be studying oil painting and trying to translate my water color looks to oils. It’s a two week workshop there.  I find a lot of inspiration in traveling and learning about other cultures and I try to bring that to my work in terms of color.  Like the classics like Van Gogh, Monet and Gaugin.  I’m really attracted to folk art and that’s also where I find a lot of my inspiration as well as through artists like Clementine Hunter.  My pugs are also an inspiration.

Christine: What are on your walls at your house?

Michael: I am really fortunate to own a Clementine Hunter, so I have that on my walls. And every time I look at that, it inspires me to paint.  I have a couple of other folk artists, a lot of American folk artists.  And I have a couple of my own pieces up; one being of an image of the High Line.

Christine: Very symbolic of New York!

Michael: Yes! And another picture of Coney Island that I did a puzzle of. That one is in my book of New York in Seasons.  I really liked that image because Coney Island is so vibrant and it’s so full of life.

Christine: What are some museums that you go to? Do you have any favorites?

Michael: I have a few favorites.  The Whitney Museum is a great one, I love that. It’s in my neighborhood so it’s really accessible.  The American Folk Art Museum near Lincoln Center is a great museum.  It has wonderful shows.  New York has so many different places.

Christine: We initially met at the iconic Plaza Hotel. I know that you do a lot of collaborations with the Plaza Hotel and Bloomingdale’s.  Are there any other fun collaborations that you’re looking forward to?

Michael: This past year I started a collaboration with a company called Balsam Hill.  They create artificial trees and they started to carry ornaments and other accessories.  So I’ve been working on some new designs.  I’ve been working on this new table top piece but I have to keep it secret. But it has been really fun to work on that. That has helped me to expand outside of city themes and such.

Christine: Besides being in New York or even in a coffee shop, Do you just whip out your journal and start sketching?

Michael: I do sometimes! In New York, everything is so fast and you don’t have that much time. I don’t usually do it as often but when I travel I do a journal and I keep track of all of my daily escapades.  I create little maps because I don’t like to have heavy texts.  It’s fun to look back and see.

Michael Storrings Sketch Journal

Christine: Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve done in the last few years that has inspired you to do more?

Michael: Last year I did this one piece that I really feel that is one that I will always treasure.  It is this particular drawing that I like to keep out because not only does the place inspire me, the drawing was a labor of love.  It’s of Paris and it took me the longest time.  It took me about three months to draw and that is the one that I will take with me to Paris that I will translate to an oil painting.

Christine: So thank you Michael for joining us! We wish you best of luck in the future.

Michael: Thank you!  It was a pleasure.

Christine: One more thing, we would like to see what you have been sketching through this mini interview…

Michael: I just drew you two! Here it is! Global Glam in your emerald dress and the other in your red skirt.

Global Glam Illustration by Michael Storrings

Christine & Caroline: Wow, that’s fantastic…and quick!

Caroline: I have actually been working on something very special for all of the non-artistic types out there, Michael has created a coloring book that he just launched, featuring all of his favorite spots in New York City. Michael will be giving away one of these coloring books and you don’t want to miss out on this! There will be details on the Global Glam giveaway on Instagram so stay tuned!

Seasons Of New York Coloring Book By Michael Storrings

Christine: Thank you for joining us everybody!

Produced by Global Glam.TV

Coloring Book Giveaway here.