Biography

Michael John Potts was born in June of 1972 in Evanston, IL. At the age of 6 he moved with his mother to Wichita, Kansas where he spent the remainder of his childhood. Throughout Potts’ childhood his aptitude for art and expression was prevalent in all his studies and activities. After graduating high school he embraced a commitment for working with youth and strived to learn and work in multiple social service fields. This experience combined with his passion for the arts eventually led Potts to decide on a career that meshed the arts, the energy therein, and the field of social service. After many years of traveling and various educational quests, Michael finally returned to his home in Wichita in 1998 to complete his education at Wichita State University. He graduated in 2001 with a field major that combined the areas of Sociology, Personality Psychology, and Fine Arts.

A major Inspiration for Potts’ original work derives from the term “Flanuer”, which was originally coined by photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. In part, the term “Flanuer” focuses on the authentic depiction of man in motion in his environment. Potts strives to illustrate this concept through a diverse style ranging from very controlled and methodic methods to an erratic and spontaneous use of color, body language, and brush stroke. All methods of this resolve aim either individually, or collectively, at depicting the emotional exchange that occurs between the interaction of man and his environment.

Soon after graduating, the impact of 9/11 inspired Potts to join the army. After Serving in Korea as a medic, he chose to return home and continue his commitment in the Arts and Social Service. In April of 2007, Michael began a trip west. He accepted a position as an art director at a 6000 acre summer camp in the Colorado Rockies. Currently, Potts is implementing a unique program that uses various artistic activities, combined with the concepts of personality psychology and multiple intelligences to create a platform that helps youth establish a strong sense of self awareness, self esteem, and self exploration. He has established plans to continue the development of this program for several years to come.

Potts operates his studios in Kansas City and Colorado. While spending his summer in Colorado he commits his off season to showing his work, and performing live events for charities throughout the country. Michael has established positive relationships with many charitable organizations, and is committed to art advocacy everywhere, in any institution, and strives to use art as a way to raise money and awareness for the various charities he has worked with.

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