Mike Ploplis, a Salisbury-based artist, is currently showcasing his work in an exhibit titled “Fauxtanicals” at Heart of Salisbury, located at 120A E. Innes St. The collection features original paintings, prints, giclees, and upcycled clothing art, and will remain on display through the end of July. The exhibit highlights Ploplis’s unique creative process, which involves using dish soap and enamel spray paint to produce a distinctive batik effect.
How Art Therapy Influenced a Career Shift
Ploplis’s path to professional art began as a response to the stressors of his previous career. Starting in the 1990s as a firefighter, he later transitioned into EMS in Guilford County, where he served as a senior paramedic for roughly eight years. He eventually became a flight paramedic at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. According to Ploplis, he turned to art therapy after beginning treatment for PTSD, finding that painting provided a necessary distraction from daily triggers.
“I just sought different ways to improve my therapeutic approaches to treatment and I was introduced to art therapy,” Ploplis said. He eventually made the choice to leave his medical career, describing it as an “easy decision to give up the things that were causing me so much pain in the first place.”
The Creative Process Behind “Fauxtanicals”
The exhibit at Heart of Salisbury came together after a spontaneous call from the gallery owner, Wivianny “Wivi” DeHaas. Ploplis and DeHaas, who previously met while Ploplis was closing his studio at Railwalk Studios & Gallery, spent two days installing the pieces. Ploplis noted that he trusts DeHaas’s “curating eye” above all others, adding that the presentation helped elevate his work.
Visitors at the May 29 opening reception expressed interest in the technical side of his work. Ploplis explained that he uses dish soap as a blocking agent. By applying soap over layers of paint, it acts as a protectant, allowing subsequent colors to create a unique, batik-like pattern. Beyond canvas, his creative output includes “Winging It,” a line of upcycled clothing where he uses bleach and brushwork to create wing-inspired designs on hoodies and T-shirts.
Support Systems and Community Impact
Ploplis credits his family for supporting his artistic transition. His wife, Erin, and his children—son Reilly, a sous chef in Charlotte, and daughter Raegan, a watercolor artist—are his primary supporters. Attendees at the exhibit, including Glenda Dyson and Chuck York, cited the vibrant use of color and the emotional depth of his work as reasons for their interest.
DeHaas noted that the meaningful origin of Ploplis’s art—specifically its roots in therapy—resonates with the public. “You can just see life coming out through his work,” DeHaas said. For those interested in viewing or purchasing pieces, the collection is available online at artbyploplis.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I see the “Fauxtanicals” exhibit?
The exhibit is on display at Heart of Salisbury, located at 120A E. Innes St., Salisbury, through the end of July. - What materials does Mike Ploplis use?
He primarily uses enamel spray paints from hardware stores and utilizes dish soap as a masking medium to create textured, batik-style effects. - Is the art available for purchase?
Yes, all pieces on display are available for purchase, and prints can be ordered in various sizes through his website, artbyploplis.com.
Did you know? Ploplis is also expanding his creative portfolio into fashion, creating custom bleach-art apparel through a project he calls “Winging It.”
Have you visited the “Fauxtanicals” exhibit yet? Share your thoughts on his unique technique in the comments below!
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