Biography Sean-Michael Bryce Gettys was born and raised in Southern California. During college he experienced a series of health challenges and some of his art reflects his perspectives on disAbility. See below for a more complete look at Sean-Michael's personal history. Much of his work revolves around gender, spirituality, sexuality, and an honest look at the self as it appears both within ourselves and to others. His art was shown at the GENDERS Conferance July 1st and 2nd and at the Pagan Pride Festival in Phoenix, AZ, October 1st, 2006. For more information on PHX Pagan Pride, please visit witchvox.com Sean-Michael's Art will be shown in Tucson during the month of November at the University of Arizona (more details tba)

To Contact Sean-Michael write to smbryceart@yahoo.com

More personal History:

Sean-Michael was raised among wonderfully supportive and creative friends and family. His parents worked hard to provide a safe environment for their children, never neglecting music and other arts. From the time he was a toddler his Aunt, an artist herself, introduced him to a variety of artistic expression. The 70's were a time of wonderful creativite options and she introduced the kids to paper twirling, painting, photography, and a general love of beauty. This closely paralleled the exposure received at home. With a father who had thought he would be an art major in college, and only later decided to achieve his MBA and start his own HR company, and a mother who was a teacher and guitar player, music and beauty were never far away.

As a young pre teen a hard work ethic was impressed upon Sean-Michael by his father who challanged him to "earn the money if he wanted a computer." That summer included much washing of cars, cats, dogs, and delivering of newspaper. His parents were amazed by all the effort their child put into reaching that goal, and bought his first computer, a COMPAQ. The wonderfully geeky portions of his character were allowed to join his artistic side and his love of computers was born. Before computer graphics could really be considered an art form, Sean-Michael had begun programing "basic a" fireplaces to dance on his screen and other "miraculous" creations that seem ludicrous when we see what can be done on computers today, but were quite exciting at the time. His favorite teacher in Junior High was of course the art teacher and he dreamed of becoming an artist one day himself. When it came to homework the teacher in the family always helped out. But when seeking help from his mother on art projects she informed him that "Dad is the artistic one in the family." Hooray Dad!

A high school student in the 80's, Sean-Michael continued his pursuit of computer learning in school and artistic expression, through after school programs. His teacher emphasized realism and oil painting. It was a challenging but fun time and all too soon he went away to college at his Aunt's alma mater, California State University at Long Beach. By 19 as his disability started to set in, visual art was put aside and his focus became playing with words and poetry. Hand and arm difficulties convinced him that drawing a straight line was a thing of the past unless he found a cure for whatever ailed him. It took six years before Sean-Michael was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and osteo arthritis.

Since moving to Phoenix, Arizona, Sean-Michael's muse has been quite insistant. Painting, collage, and computer manipulation of photography have resumed their passion. His body is not healed, but his heart insists on creating, and besides, straight isn't everything! He hopes his Dad is proud of how he's using those artistic genes these days.