Transforming Lives Through Art: Presenting Cary Michael Robinson

By Destany Fuller | WeINSPIRE Journalist

DALLAS, Texas – Cary Michael Robinson is an artist whose creativity trickles into everything he touches. Following a bold career-path change, Robinson has found success in his ventures within the art world.

Along with his art being recognized nationally on platforms such as BET and NPR, Robinson is the owner of his personal freelance business Sincerely, Cary Michael as well as the CEO of Artbae, a brand that encourages people to place emphasis on their own creativity.

Cary Michael Robinson. Courtesy of Cary Michael Robinson.

Initially, Robinson was on a path toward becoming an engineer. He said he realized that this was not his passion. This awareness led him to transfer to Florida A&M University, where he started his degree in graphic design.

“I just wasn’t fulfilled and satisfied,” Robinson said about his engineering career. “I had to really think and dive deep into myself to figure out what it really was that I wanted to do.”

Robinson, who shared his love for creativity during his childhood, said that he especially realized his passion for art after learning about the business aspect of it during his time in graduate school at Savannah College of Art and Design. 

Cary Michael Robinson with ‘Adam and Eve.’ Courtesy of Cary Michael Robinson.

“Creating art fulfilled me in a sense, but I didn’t know what to do beyond that. I just was like, ‘This is a hobby, or whatever.’ Once I got into the grad school program and learned about the business aspect of art and how art is important and about how art is necessary and is a part of every business.”

Robinson said he enjoyed the satisfaction of helping others by creating art for their businesses. This factor led him to help people express their creativity in other ways. After finishing graduate school, Robinson started hosting sip-and-paints to help participants express themselves.

“Art is therapy,” Robinson said. “Being around people and helping them express themselves creatively, because I always define art as the outward expression of inward emotions, so helping people express themselves on a canvas and seeing them grow… and just seeing the joy that they have on their faces knowing something is healing them within makes me feel that I want to continue with the arts.”

Robinson with body art models. Courtesy of Cary Michael Robinson.

Robinson continued on to share the importance he places on his platform as a Black artist. Though he’s received complaints about catering heavily to the Black community, he said he takes pride in being able to create a space for individuals who didn’t have such a space before.

“I tried to use my voice and explain to them, [there] was a period when Black artists didn’t get the opportunity. We couldn’t get in galleries; we couldn’t get in museums,” Robinson said. “It’s important for me because I do have the knowledge, and the training and the experience to make sure I speak up for some of these artists who aren’t able to speak up for themselves and provide resources as I get resources.”

Robinson’s brand Artbae was officially launched in 2018, but he said that it branched from an art show he successfully hosted in 2017. 

“It was kind of like a 90’s themed art show, but it was like the 90’s almost as if you were at the Grammys. So it was a spin on what you’d traditionally see at a 90’s party,” Robinson explained. “We had body painting, breakdancing, we had a fashion component, we gave out art awards to artists who executed the different themes. After that, everyone was like, ‘This is dope.’ At the time, everyone was like this is one of my most successful events, ‘What are you doing next?’”

Robinson and his artwork. Courtesy of Cary Michael Robinson.

Robinson revealed that he didn’t have a name for it at the time but encouraged everyone to stay tuned for whatever he had next. The following year, he gave the organization structure and started hosting events. 

He said that he and his team began to host more fundraising events and also began supporting local organizations and artists. They have since won a Mayor’s Arts Award in Washington, D.C., and have continued to grow as a brand. 

Robinson shared that his driving force is his passion and hopes that his audiences feel the same way. 

“I’m passionate about what I do. I feel like when you’re passionate about what you do, you don’t let outside influences deter you,” Robinson said. “I don’t even have a plan sometimes… I want people to see the passion in what I do and know that although I love art, I also love people.”

To learn more about Robinson, you can visit his personal website or social media as well as the website and social media for Artbae. 

Watch Full Interview Here: