Don’t be afraid to be different…Be afraid to be the same Michael Carini is a neurodivergent artist with Tourette's and a traumatic brain injury that transmutes pain to purpose and creates light from darkness through his distinctive style, Acrylic Alchemy. Carini received his artistic training in Los Angeles, studying at Loyola Marymount University while simultaneously serving as an apprentice under respected artists Jane Brucker and Roland Reiss. Graduating at the top of his class with honors including the Scholar of Distinction Award in Painting, Carini returned to his hometown in San Diego, where he currently maintains his studio. With well over 100 exhibitions nationally and internationally, he has exhibited at Art Miami and alongside renowned artist Damien Hirst. Carini has received over a dozen major awards and was named Emerging Artist Of The Year by Art Design Consultants. His art can be found all over the world in the collections of celebrities, businesses, and major collectors. Michael Carini offers online and in-person workshops for artists, as will as private lessons and 1 on 1 artist mentoring sessions.
Selected work
Fever Dreams And The Mind Maze
One of the first paintings from a new series, "TBI (T.he B.oy I.nside)."
The Last First Breath
This painting is created from the ashes of a painting sacrificed by fire. Part of my "Open Wounds" collection, sometimes you need to tear yourself open so your wounds can breathe and heal.
The Hitchhikers - Take Us To Wonderland (Alicinner)
This 6' x 8' painting from my collection, "The Boy In The Box," is packed with Easter eggs and hidden treasures.
Crash Into Me
This painting is the first painting I created following the 2023 car crash that left me with a traumatic brain injury. It contains actual crash debris.
The One Who nEver Was
Much of my work dives head first into trauma, including my traumatic brain injury. On the other side of that darkness, there is light.
Foreverandever
From my series "Faces Of The Parabox." This painting is a massive 5' x 8'.
On The Broken Road Between Reality And Truth
This painting was inspired by a missing friend. It contains a letter, earring, and a piece of a dress she wore. It's from my series "The Up-Side Of Down."
The Bastard
Every painting from my series "Look Right Through" contains a transparent figure. What looks pretty bands of color is actually a beautiful prison. Read between the lines.
The Alchemist's Gate And The Light Transmuted Through Darkness
This painting is from my collection of "Portals To A Better Place." I started focusing on this series after my TBI.
Labyrinth Of The Butterly
My series "The Up-Side Of Down" was inspired by an assault and battery that left me with multiple facial fractures, severe eye trauma, and a concussion. It was the birth of my process, "Acrylic Alchemy."