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Tiger's Colorful Art and Life

By Jim Dyar August 6, 2009

Sunset_Grill

If you walk into the Vintage Wine Bar (1790 Market St.) anytime between now and Aug. 29, you're going to notice an explosion of color on the walls. This month's exhibit features the paintings of Tiger Joe Michiels, whose paintings are a colorful reflection of his vibrant life.Michiels was born and raised in Hollywood and literally partied with rock stars as a young man - the Beatles, Donovan, Frank Zappa. He rode motorcycles with Steve McQueen and "The Great Escape" stuntman Bud Ekins.He spent decades traveling throughout the world with his company, Michiels International Inc., which provided and facilitated building products for foreign companies. He also lived and worked on ranches throughout the West. He rode the Magdalena Trail in New Mexico.And these things, he explains, are just the tip of the iceberg."I grew up in Hollywood, this cataclysmic epicenter of culture, but also lived where there are no telephones and no electricity," he said. "I've been fortunate to experience two completely different sides of life."

Big Teeth

Michiels created most of the vibrant paintings on display at Vintage (a stop on tomorrow's 2nd Saturday Art Hop) between 2000 and 2009. He started drawing in high school, influenced by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and Von Dutch (Kenny Howard), icon hot rod artists whom he still credits as inspirations.A self-taught artist, Michiels often starts with a realistic image in his head, but almost never finishes there. His work includes wild, almost maniacal mask-like faces, odes to favorite haunts like the Sunset Grill on Sunset Strip, and Jack's Grill steakhouse in Redding.A reception for Michiels' show will take place at 6 p.m. at Vintage on Tuesday (Aug. 11). The reception is free, and an optional $5 per person wine tasting event will benefit the Sundial Film Festival. There will be music by Abigail Live.If you attend, be sure to ask Michiels about sleeping in trees during a cattle drive. It sounds like it's one of about a million great stories from his colorful life.

Jacks Grill

Comments - Facebook, August 21, 2009

Some people live life.
Others let it pass them by.
Not Tiger - he is a grab the bull by the horns just to see what the hell happens type of a guy.
Adam and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Tiger and his lovely wife, Suzie. I see Tiger as an inspiration to artists. He has left convention in the dust and forged ahead creating amazingly alive, vivid images that, whether you like them or not make you stop and contemplate them and their maker. I rarely suggest one ArtHop location over another but sometime this month you MUST get to Vintage.

Reply

-August 8th, 2009 at 12:50 am

  • Gwen & Gene Knaebel said:

Tiger - Congratulations!
Your art hung by Troy and Adam will be a show stopper. We have been waiting for you to have a one person art exhibition in Redding for a long time. See you on Tuesday night at The Vintage to congratulate you in person, enjoy your dynamic art and support the benefit for the Sundial Film Festival.
Gwen & Gene Knaebel

Reply

-August 8th, 2009 at 3:21 pm

  • Joanne Lobeski Snyder said:

I loved the show (at Art Hop this evening) but didn't get to meet the artist. I DID get to hear a superb jazz band at Vintage. Great article, Jim.

Reply

-August 8th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

  • Katherine Michiels said:

It is so great to learn of this show and read everyone's comments. Tiger's art is an experience I love, appreciate and will always enjoy. Can't wait to get to Redding to see the show. Congratulations, Tiger! I am sure there are many more shows to follow. Your baby sister.

Reply

-August 9th, 2009 at 7:01 am

  • Leo Arendt said:

Tiger, Congratulations on the show, sorry we are not able to make it to Redding for this event. Another chapter in your exciting life. It always makes me proud to show off and say that I have a "Tiger Michaels" hanging in my living room. Thanks again for the experience of knowing and sharing your life's experiences with us. Love to you and Suzie Leo and Brenda Arendte

Reply

-August 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am

  • Gwen Knaebel said:

On Art Hop night I was at Pio Loco showing with "The Artists". Chef Jeff served a Taco Bar Buffett to the Art Hop guests upstairs and featured a lively program by expert belly dancers downstairs.
Everyone who came in was having a wonderful evening out on the town and had great comments about all of the art they had seen. Several were very excited about Tiger's show at The Vintage - I can't wait to see it!

Reply

-August 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  • Rachel said:

Papa T.,
We are thrilled for you!
Love,
Bill, Rachel, Aaron & Livi

Reply

-August 10th, 2009 at 10:27 am

  • Janice Powell said:

I tried to hit as many ARTHOP stops as I could Saturday, but missed Pio Loco! The band was fantastic at Vintage, and it seems I always see someone that I know there (great job Janice!). I'm going to try to make it tonight for the fundraiser and get another chance to check out Tiger's art.
Many thanks to everyone out there who puts so much effort into making Redding a "happening place" to be!

Reply

-August 11th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

Jill Sykes Wrote on Your Wall:

"Hey Tiger - big congratulations on your Colorful Art & Life!!! what an understatement!"

Jill Sykes, Artist,
Hollywood, California
www.jillsykes.com