The Journey of Art and Nothingness…
Some may dream of being ‘successful artists’, to inspire others to create, or have grandiose gallery showings and extravagant clients. That is not what creative expression is to Kyle. This is one of the many ways in which he inspires me the most. From one fleeting painting to the next, like an unscratchable itch, creating has become almost an impulsive means of expression. Something that needs to get out and into tangible form. Like many painters, Kyle does have an extensive traditional background. A deep understanding of composition, contrast, proportions, use of colors.
Almost all of which he accredits to his art educators that he feels grateful to have crossed paths with. Since, he has continued to build his skills learning from other artists and observing their work. Paying close attention to how they shaped things, how they built their layers, their brush strokes, how they could use subject and empty space to draw you in. Not so that one day he could collect all the fame and money for his works, but almost quite the opposite. This I relate to deeply. That artworks are not a product to be profited off of, even though technically that can be achieved. At their core artworks are priceless because they are tangible pieces of the artists themselves. They are a service being provided to you from the artist.
In his early years in rural southern Oregon, access to the art world was limited. There seemed to be only two extremes, the grandmother’s paintings at farmers markets and the most famous artists in the world. In the void between these extremes Kyle found contentedness in creating things for the sake of creating. Allowing his creative urges to become more and more compulsory. Even as he shares his work today, he has seemingly achieved one of the many feats of being a creative in today’s world. Social media does not define or guide the direction of his work. A trail of discarded art and half-finished projects behind him. Kyle admits much of his early works have been thrown away, painted over, or destroyed. Some may be shocked by this or even heartbroken, though it is one of the things I admire most about Kyle’s creative process. Sometimes we may find ourselves entirely devoted to one piece, that one piece we could never sell, sitting collecting dust in the sun’s damaging light. This comes from a place of fear. A fear that we may never be able to create something we love so dearly ever again. Though that has always been one of the silliest constructs I’ve found within the art world. If art and creating is simply an expression of you, and you-whether you like it or not-are always changing, and assuming you will always have the tools, talent, and underlying urge to create for the rest of your life...why put so much pressure on a single piece to ultimately consume you where you are now?
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Spring Issue 4
CREATEUR Zine features three new local Seattle creatives, two guest writers, and exclusive creative downloads. New to CREATEUR Zine is the CREATEUR Directory in the back of the Zine, featuring a directory of independent creatives, small creative businesses, resources, and more! You can help GROW the CREATEUR Directory at createurzine.com/grow
