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Michael Northuis
As an artist, I am mostly influenced by art (and music) that "elevates" me to another "higher" place. With a few exceptions the work I gravitate toward is religious in nature, transcendent and mystical especially in visual art. There is nothing more base and empty than socially centered pop art. Although I do enjoy pop music (it has a nice beat and you can dance to it) it is the music of people like Cohen, Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and more recently artists like Damien Jurado who wrestle with spiritual matters that touch me on the deepest level. Although I like Beck his work does not take me to a higher realm...Sorry.