M. Walker
M. Walker is an artist, musician, writer, and advocate who grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and now lives in Austin. He views his life as a form of art.
Mediums
Music: Walker is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, piano, drums, and fiddle (badly). He is a songwriter and composer, performing both solo and previously as part of the bands The Fotoelectric Effect, Ghostbunny, Dead Scientist. He often collaborates with his childhood best friend, Jacob Combs. He also emcees the annual John Prine Tribute show in Marathon, TX.
Writing: Walker writes poetry, essays, and a surreal mystery fiction.
Visual Arts: Walker works in painting, photography, and digital collage. He also practices Ikebana, a Japanese art form of contemplative floral arrangement.
Finding Inspiration in the Land
The landscape of the Texas Panhandle, particularly Palo Duro Canyon, is a major source of inspiration for Walker. He explores the history, ecology, and spiritual significance of the land through his work. For example, his album "Canyon, Illuminant" is an instrumental interpretation of a pre-historic morning in the canyon, featuring movements that depict various animals in their natural habitat.
The Intersection of Art & Science
Walker sees a strong connection between art and science and uses his creative work to communicate scientific ideas in an engaging way. He believes that artistic interpretations can help make scientific discoveries more accessible to a wider audience.
Creativity
Walker is constantly exploring new forms of artistic expression. He finds that different mediums can offer unique ways of understanding a subject. For example, his work with Project Coyote combines his passion for music, writing, and visual arts to advocate for the peaceful coexistence with predator species. Walker describes his creative process as driven by "waves" of inspiration that he strives to capture when they arise. He utilizes his meditation practice to better understand his own creative process and ride these waves of inspiration more effectively.
