04 May Stephenson Showcase: Michael J. McGuire #miracleartist
Michael McGuire is definitely a #miracleartist – and his introduction to art was not one that most people experience. Prior to October 10, 2015, Michael traveled for his medical sales job, working long hours, and focusing on his career and his family. But at 3 a.m. on that date, he awoke confused and not speaking clearly. Megan, his wife, drove him to the emergency room.
After a CT scan, the doctor said Michael had bleeding on his brain. He was transferred to a neurology intensive care unit and diagnosed with Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis. Two days later, he was rushed into emergency surgery to reduce severe swelling and pressure on his brain. A portion of his skull was removed and the surgery saved his life.
Over the next two months, Michael would spend his days in intensive care, on the “acute neurology” floor, and finally at a rehabilitation hospital, where he learned how to eat and walk again, with much success. However, since his brain injury, Michael developed Aphasia, where he knows what he wants to say, but he has trouble thinking of the right words to speak. A year after his surgery, during an Aphasia support group at Butler University, Michael picked up a paintbrush. He had never considered his artistic potential. A paintbrush was new to him, but something happened when he began to use it – he discovered his hidden talent and a creative eye for color. Megan, his wife, says that his ability to paint such beautiful artwork is simply amazing, and a true blessing!
Michael has been painting for about twelve years now, largely in acrylic media on canvas. He draws inspiration from many different things, painting whatever he is thinking or feeling. His wife Megan says, “sometimes he will pause a TV show we are watching to admire a painting in the background or wander away from me to look at a painting on the wall if we are out somewhere together.” While his passion is abstract art, his body of work includes contemporary, still life, faith-based and nature-themed works.
Michael’s art along with signed prints, decks of cards, stationary, desktop plaques, shopping bags, will be available in his #miracleartist exhibit in the Stephenson House at Noblesville Creates. See his exhibit May 6-28 during business hours and join him at his free public reception on Friday, May 20 from 5-8 p.m. in the Stephenson House.
