Artist Spotlight: Michael and Viktorija

In continuing the Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture mission of ensuring inclusive and accessible art for all, this week’s featured artist is Michael and Viktorija with the Springfield Avenue Maplewood Public Art Program. Residents can safely enjoy public art while outdoors, maintaining physical distance.

I am Maplewood, Mural
Location: 1883 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ (Corner of Prospect Street)

When Michael found out about the Mural project on Springfield Ave, he felt right away that it was a wonderful opportunity to make more art on the largest scale he had worked so far and to design a public mural with a positive message behind it, something that everyone can enjoy and admire. At that time, Michael and Viktorija had been residents of Maplewood for only a short time, but they already felt the need to give back to the community for such a wonderful place to raise their daughter, who is now 6, and this was a perfect way to say “Thank you”.

‘I am Maplewood’ building shot. Located at 1883 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood NJ at the corner of Springfield Avenue and Prospect Street.

The Mural ‘I am Maplewood’ celebrates the wonderful diversity of Maplewood.  From an abstract bloom of textiles from the many cultures, to the flags in the word “Maplewood” that represent the heritage of many of the people of the town, to cultural events and patterns, and most of all, the Face of the child, (inspired by a beauty photograph Michael and Viktorija did for a leading magazine), our present and our future, which is a grid of 6 different children faces that represent the diversity that Maplewood is so proud of.  

The Mural also has the statement of “I am Maplewood”. This is there to remind us, that every single one of us is beautiful and we belong, and we are all Maplewood, individually and together as a group, a community.    #IamMaplewood

Michael David Adams and Viktorija Bowers

Michael and Viktorija have been working together for almost 20 years. They met each other to pursue creative collaborations but quickly realized that there would be more to their life together than simply creating amazing imagery. Michael, a photographer, and Viktorija, a makeup artist, they began working on their portfolios together in early 2000’s, and in short time found themselves photographing fashion and beauty spreads as well as covers of the US and Worlds top magazines. They currently both continue to work in the industry on Advertising campaigns for a variety of clients.  

Before their professional artist careers, Michael had painted since he was 12 years old and had many solo Gallery shows. His work eventually evolved to Fine Art Photography, and then into Fashion and Beauty, and that is when is professional career took off. Viktorija always had an interest and a love for art and beauty. She grew up in her mothers hair salon in Croatia, seeing beauty transformations everyday which inspired her to listen to her artistic heart of a painter to seek a path in a similar field.  Her relationship with Michael became a catalyst for her to translate her makeup artistry onto canvas and paper through many different mediums. She has since developed quite a beautiful and unique style of her own with her fascination of children’s faces and large dreamlike starry-night eyes.  

Shhh, Photography and Illustration Composite

Michael and Viktorija enjoy a life and career of creating art for so many different venues and applications. From their commercial work with editorials and advertising, to Fine Art photography and Paintings/Illustrations that sell around the world to private and commercial collectors, to Wall Murals for the public and private usages, and much more. To see the many projects they have worked on, follow their social media sites. 

‘Shhh’ is, “a composite of photography and illustration, of a child (our daughter again, ha ha), up to her eyes in water with a composite of NYC behind her.,” says MIchael.

‘Mother and Child’ Wall Mural of a mother kissing a child’s forehead, gives that child the wings to have the confidence to face her future.
This was a mural created for a project for the Isaiah House here in NJ. The Isaiah House serves people in need of shelter and/or food in the area, and Michael and Viktorija were happy to get the opportunity to share their talents to help give a needed remodel to the Mother and Child’s room, as well as this Mural that was outside of the room. Michael designed and painted the mural as an inspiration to the new mothers who enter the room to give them strength and love.

‘Toyland’ consists of a model with a crown of toys. Micheal says, “a costume designer friend of ours made this crown, and we got inspired to photograph it. Viktorija’s makeup was inspired by the artwork of Peter Max, and every year that goes by, this picture is more and more relevant to our lives!!”

Untitled Beauty Photograph of African girls face with gold paint was inspired by the model Zara’s own heritage of being from Tanzania. “She came to the US, after winning the Miss Tanzania contest, to get some portfolio work done for a modeling career. After spending some time with her, chatting about her life and experience in Tanzania, we thought it would be fun to do an interpretation of the graphic makeup they and other tribes do on their faces for different events. She thought it was a fun idea as well, and loved the final outcome.” — Micheal David Adams

‘Uncork Extraordinary’ is an advertising campaign for Santa Margherita wines. This was a campaign that Viktorija and Michael both worked on and was photographed completely underwater, the model and the backdrop, and she was actually holding the bottle underwater as well. This ad can be found in magazines and billboards as well as other outdoor advertising across the US.

Mother and Child Wall Mural
Wall mural of a mother kissing a child’s forehead, which gives that child the wings to have the confidence to face her future.
This was a mural created for a project for the Isaiah House here in NJ. The Isaiah House serves people in need of shelter and/or food in the area, and Michael and Viktorija were happy to get the opportunity to share their talents to help give a needed remodel to the Mother and Childs room, as well as this Mural that was outside of the room. Michael designed and painted the mural as an inspiration to the new mothers who enter the room to give them strength and love.

Toyland, Model with a crown of toys.
” A costume designer friend of ours made this crown, and we got inspired to photograph it. Viktorija’s makeup was inspired by the artwork of Peter Max, and every year that goes by, this picture is more and more relevant to our lives!!” — Michael David Adams

“Stella” By Viktorija
Painting / illustration, girl with a crown of stars and blue background. Pen and watercolor

Untitled beauty photograph, African girls face with gold paint.
“This shot was inspired by the model Zara’s, own heritage of being from Tanzania. She came to the US, after winning the Miss Tanzania contest, to get some portfolio work done for a modeling career. After spending some time with her, chatting about her life and experience in Tanzania, we thought it would be fun to do an interpretation of the graphic makeup they and other tribes do on their faces for different events. She thought it was a fun idea as well, and loved the final outcome.” — Micheal David Adams

Uncork Extraordinary
Advertising campaign for Santa Margherita wines. This was a great campaign that Viktorija and Michael both worked on and was photographed completely underwater, the model and the backdrop, and she was actually holding the bottle as well. You can see this in magazines and billboards as well as other Outdoor advertising across the US.

Viktorija Bowers with Daughter Left, Michael David Adams Right

All photos by Michael David Adams

MichaelandViktorija.com  -  A collection of work they have done together, spanning all fields.

ViktorijaBowers.com  -  Viktorija’s Makeup Artist Website

MichaelDavidAdams.com  - Michael’s Photography website

MichaelDavidAdams-FineArt.com  Michael’s Fine Art website 

@MichaelandViktoirja

@Viktorijabowers

@Michael.David.Adams 

The Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative is working to bring art and visual interest to Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ. Initially, we are working to bring murals to buildings and decorate the utility boxes along the avenue in the Spring of 2018. Over time we plan to bring additional art projects to the avenue in order to attract area residents to enjoy all that Springfield Avenue has to offer: food, retail shops, service businesses, cultural events, and more! Special thanks to our first Public Art sponsors: Wine Barrel and Maplewood Crossing | Elite Properties. To keep up to date with the Springfield Avenue Public Art Initiative please like our Facebook page: Springfield Avenue Public Art and our Instagram Page @publicart_sam.