Footnote to Painted Artist

Michael Gretch was my muse. We spent one year working together creating over 40 stage settings. Michael would paint his body and a mural, and then merge the two. The challenge for me was to capture this merging on film. Michael and I had very little money when this work was created. What money we did have bought film, paint, and makeup. A time just before the dot com invasion into our eclectic city of San Francisco, swamping it with cell phones and lab tops, changing its nature forever. Our creative effort was forged happily on rooftops and in alleys. Brick walls became the home for fabulous painted backdrops. We had but one goal in mind: To stand the world on its ears with art!

The combination of Michael’s extraordinary talent and the chemistry of our friendship created a space for an accelerated growth period for both of us. I must say it was a thrilling and wonderful time I spent working with and photographing this fine and talented artist.  Michael Gretch is available for mural and body painting . . . you may contact him at:  Gretch@jbhiggins.com

J B Higgins