A List of Questions

Posted on February 17, 2012 by kyle

I had the honor of someone wanting to interview me again. I am not sure why they want to hear my ideas but I shared them gladly.

What made you want to be an artist?

I feel like it found me. I think I am just dealing with something laid upon me; a colorful burden on my mind.  For a long time I did not paint. I always drew but did not paint. Once I began to paint out my thoughts I have continued and done so more and more obsessively.

What is the hardest part about being an artist?

Dealing with what you have been dealt. I often realize I think differently than a lot of other folks. It is a blessing to have art skills but sometimes the thoughts that go along with it are hard to handle.

What is your favorite piece that you have created?

I have a couple paintings I made around 2000, Man and Bull in Box and Green Baby Jesus.Those are paintings I plan on keeping. Last years BeltLine Bears Mural has really been great for me career-wise. My new wall at HodgePodge isn’t too bad either.

What are your goals as an artist?

To paint from my soul. To not limit my thought process or censor my own thinking.

Who are your biggest influences as an artist?

We are like sponges and soak up a little of everything. A few painters I admire are El Greco, Van Gogh, De Kooning and Pollock. I am inspired by folk artists Howard Finster and Katherine Michael.

What piece of art would you like to own and display in your own home?

My walls are covered in my paintings (because I have no where else to store them!) I do have a painting by Sam Granger and one by Katherine Michael.

If you were not an artist, what would you be?

I dream of flying so I want to be a pilot; or a crow.

You’re also a musician, who would be your dream person to duet with?

Considering I sang my first duet ever in December I can’t see much of  this happening. Maybe I could go back in time and sing with a early 1970′s Merle Haggard.

What is your favorite thing about Atlanta?

I am big on recent history; mid 1800′s and early 1900′s. I have tried to learn all I could about Atlanta history during its early years and through the civil war era. I love to study old photos and compare them to now. My family has been in Atlanta since at least the mid 1800′s and I love thinking about how it used to be.

What is your favorite thing to order at a coffee shop?

A strong black coffee. Simple.

 

You can see the official interview here.

-kyle

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Hodge Podge Coffee Sign

Posted on February 15, 2012 by kyle

I finished my sign today. Well, actually it is HodgePodge Coffee’s sign. I had a great time painting it. It makes me happy and I hope people passing by will get a kick out of it. I had a lady this morning tell me she could see the sign way down Moreland. I think that is a good thing.

I am currently looking for similar projects and walls to paint. I will find a new wall soon. If you need a wall painted you know where to find me.

Take care of yourself and be thankful for all you have.

- kyle

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Hodge Podge Coffee – Day 3

Posted on February 14, 2012 by kyle

Cold and rainy days make for fun painting. I needed hobo gloves. At least I had my sock hat. After working a while and 2 hot drinks I was used to it. The paint dried and I kept working.

I spent another afternoon on the HodgePodge Coffee sign. Today I added color and did a lot of detail work. I started feeling good about the soon-to-be finished project. For the most part I am now finished. I will go back tomorrow and take some official photos and touch up a couple spots. I saw a few people drive by and smile. That made it worthwhile.

I just want to thank HodgePodge Coffee for being so nice and great to work with. I am glad you I met you and that we are new neighbors.


p.s. Today an old work friend wrote me and said my art had been featured in a prank video for Project 9-6-1 radio station in Atlanta. They took a bear head I had made off a tree in Freedom Park. Too bad they called my wooden bear head a “pig” and saig Ronnie Land made it. Ronnie Land is great and pigs are too but, oh well. Any publicity is good publicity. Right?

kyle

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Hodge Podge Coffee – Day 2

Posted on February 13, 2012 by kyle

Something feels good about a hard day’s work. Something is nice when you have been productive with and you can look back at your day and feel good inside. You wash your hands and see the dirt wash away. You stretch your sore muscles. You look up on the wall. The sun is in your eyes. You feel your chapped lips. You see your wind-burned cheeks. You are a working man.

I stood on a ladder all afternoon. It was cold then warm then cold. The wind blew. Airplanes flew overhead. Mothers and children strolled by below. I started to get used to the wobbling. For me this is a great step forward since I have always had a problem with ladders and dangling over heights. I can’t say I am over it but spending all day up above the sidewalk does help. It is good to confront your fears.

I started painting the sign for Hodge-Podge Coffee in East Atlanta. I added some color and began the line work. I had a few issues but by end of the afternoon I had worked through them. If the rain disperses tomorrow I will return and finish. I am looking forward to it.

I kept thinking how great it was to be doing something that I wanted to do. I didn’t mind all the effort because it made me happy. Happy is a good thing.

- kyle

 

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Hodge Podge Coffee – Day 1

Posted on February 12, 2012 by kyle

Today I began my wall painting for Hodge Podge Coffee in East Atlanta. I am going to paint a sign for them along Moreland Avenue. I presented them with a few ideas and they chose the happy coffee cup. I have been excited about this project.

The wall needed a lot of sanding so I scraped off the old paint. I had a whole pile of paint chips. If only I had some paint dip… french onion! Then I primed the area of the wall I will paint. Tomorrow I will be ready to begin the fun part.

The temperature was really cold. I wore 4 shirts. I looked quite stylish in a hooded sweatshirt and glasses; a little like the Unabomber. I hope this doesn’t ruin my reputation. The weather around Atlanta went from nice and spring-like to unpredictable and icy. I hope I can get the painting done between upcoming storms.

If you drive near Moreland and Ormewood honk at me (and buy me a hot coffee!)

- kyle

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Midway Pub Valentine Art/Craft Sale

Posted on February 11, 2012 by kyle

Today was very cold. Today was very cold and very windy. So I decided to sit outside for about 9 hours. Yes, yes I did. Today was the Midway Pub Valentine Art and Craft Sale in East Atlanta Village. I set up a little art on a couple tables. Just a little. I wanted to keep things simple.

A mistral descended upon us; an icy tempest from the North! The wind whirled and whipped and ran its cold fingers up my double-long thigh. Then it blew our items onto the concrete. Smash! The neighbor’s tent tossed and turned and art and jewelry and such were thrown onto the ground. Smash! Smash!

I had a special guest show up. She is a great artist and one of my youngest fans. She came by with her parents and they bought a cardboard heart. She gave me a picture she had drawn just for me; muti-colored hearts. She even wrote my name on the back. There is a lot of magic in some small people.

I talked and talked to a lot of people and sold several paintings. I might have sold more if the wind didn’t carry it down the road a half mile. Other than the windy winter weather the day was a great and successful art sale. I made many positive contacts and got to see a lot of friends I have made around the neighborhood.

I want to thanks to the Midway Pub for hosting a great event. Ah gratzi…

- kyle

 

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I’m Glad

Posted on February 8, 2012 by kyle

I was washing out some paint brushes in the sink. Hot-warm water running over my hand. It is 9:45 in the AM. I was thinking about making some more coffee. Then I realized that I was doing what I wanted. I am painting and drawing and getting my artwork out for the public to see. I am doing what I feel like I am supposed to. For a moment I realized things are ok.

I do not have much money and I sure do not have enough work space but I am getting it done. We have no promise of tomorrow. If this is all I have I want to say I tried to leave some “happy” for those who are around after me. Whether that is with my paintings or a song I recorded I want to leave a mark that I was here; crumb trails of joy.

I could go get a “real” job but for now I am making things work and I see the wheels turning and things progressing in a positive way. This is “real” I tell myself. Real work and real people and real money. Do not listen to the negatives. If I can stay calm it will all work out. I can be glad.

I am learning how to talk to folks about what I do. I am learning to be confident in my set of skills. I am learning to sell myself. I am learning to sing for a crowd with my new band, The Vasco Boys. I am learning to ask for a fair price. All of these things go hand-in-hand; confidence, happiness, calmness, and honing your craft.

I have a lot going on. I have many things I still need to plan and some in the works. If I can only stay calm and focused. Things are getting better. Be thankful, I tell myself. The sun feels good on your skin in the soon-to-be-here springtime. I will be glad.

 

 

 

 

 

- kyle

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2 Hand Painted Signs (and a driving dog)

Posted on February 7, 2012 by kyle

Yesterday I made another visit to Atlanta Progressive Preschool near North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta. I was asked to create 2 signs for their school to be placed along the road. They wanted their logo and name and then some decoration to be added in my style. I like it when things are asked for in my style; it means I can’t go wrong. I had a little trouble with earlier portions of the painting but I turned it all around. In the end I liked the way they looked and was proud of the final product.

When I visited the school the kids saw me again and went crazy. I have no idea why they like me but they sure do. It really is humbling to walk in a room of children when they are chanting your name, “Mr. Kyle, Mr. Kyle!” Woweeeee… Crazy stuff.

Some of them visited me while I was installing one of the signs next to their playground. They asked me questions. One also wanted to know why my dog was in my truck. I told them she drove me there. I went on to explain that my truck had special pedals for the dog’s feet.

I just want to say, “Thanks” again to Atlanta Progressive Preschool for being so nice to me and for all of their support and kindness toward my art.

Oh yea, and to the school kids; my 17 lb. dog really can’t drive.

- kyle

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What Is Wrong?

Posted on February 4, 2012 by kyle

What is wrong with me? I argue with the ones that love me. I fight the ones that are near. I worry all of the time. I write little silly love songs. I paint happy and colorful creatures. I eat a lot of rice and beans. I know how to play music but I know no theory. I am full of stress and anxiety. I have too much on my plate yet I go hungry. I eat too much but I am loosing weight. I am half way old and I see those around me getting older. I want to use the talents left to me but at what cost? Is it worth it if I loose it all? I open my mouth and the wrong words come out. I try to cut my heart out to see what is left. I get tired of being misunderstood yet the last thing I want to do is be like everyone else. I am a tall thin walking stick of troubles. What am I going to do? Heck fire and a bunch of junk.

-kyle

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3 Mural Concepts

Posted on February 1, 2012 by kyle

I proposed some mural ideas to a local burrito restaurant. Here were the concepts I showed them. I really want to paint on a wall or three. Stay tuned.

(This is the shortest blog post in Blackcattips history.)

- kyle

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