b.1980
Kyle was born on June 12, 1980 and was raised near Cheyenne, Wyoming. Kyle’s training with the arts began very early, but with no formal regimen in place. His talent and interest was recognized early by his parents and they nurtured and encouraged this passion. He had very intelligent art teachers throughout his school years that taught him the fundamentals and principals of art, but also had the ability to let Kyle run with things when they saw the chance versus forcing him into their view of “good art”. Kyle also enjoyed the competition that came with athletics, including cross country, basketball, and track. But it was around the age of 13 that he can remember having a strong interest building towards painting animals in particular.
At the age of 16 Kyle began taking workshops from artists making a living from their work. Some notable teachers were artists named Terry Isaac, Daniel Smith, and Paco Young. Kyle began to heavily study the works of those who painted wildlife in a realistic manner and in the medium of acrylics. He used acrylics for five to six years following this time and recalls it as being a great way to continue his improvement with drawing and layering with paint. Acrylic dries very quickly and made the layering process more efficient.
Paco Young was very influential with Kyle’s development. It was Paco that really hammered home on how important it was to get outside and paint from life. Painting in the field altered the way Kyle sees, not only his subjects, but how it can help an artist to make a more pleasing painting. This method will, over time, train your eye to become accustomed to how actual life appears to the human eye/brain.
After high school, Kyle attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. He spent much of that time taking advantage of the Montana experience and spent a great deal of time in the Beartooth Mountains. One fun memory he has is in the fact that he was able to take a course in fly fishing! It was an extracurricular course, but still a very fitting option for a Montana school. He truly feels that getting outside is paramount and is half or more of the enjoyment of being a wildlife artist.
Every year, Kyle’s tastes with painting and art continue to evolve through practice and study. This isn’t something forced, but rather a product of time and passion, bordering on obsession.
Education
BA, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT
Kyle Sims Painting, Oil on Board 24 X 45 (Interest categories: Oil on Board, Mountain Lion, Cat, Painting, Wildlife Art, Fine Art, Art Gallery, Kyle Sims Artist)
1. Clay – Chavant Le Beau Touche. Get the regular clay, not HM (high melt).
2. Clay warming devices, a metal bucket with a clamp on heat lamp or 100 W bulb works great.
3. Tie wire.
4. Aluminum foil.
5. Scissors.
6. Favorite sculpture tools.
7. Plank of wood (pine) approximately 8″ x 8″ x 2″.
Bring as many planks as you wish…the wood is used as the base for your sculpture.
8. Plumber’s pipe, 1/2″ threaded: Bring several different lengths…up to 10″…not PVC pipe.
Plumber’s pipe T joint.
Plumber’s pipe couplers.
Plumber’s pipe flange.
9. Screws and screwdriver to secure the flange to wood…this may be done before you arrive. (Place flange in the center of plank)
10. Wire cutters
11. Needle nose pliers
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Spatula
14. Measuring devices such as rulers, measuring tape, dividers, and calipers.
15. Because we concentrate on BIRDS IN FLIGHT, live models in the classroom are more distracting than useful. I will demonstrate the technique of constructing a cantilevered bird armature that can be used for many different bird species and will show you how to assemble shapes to capture the “gist” of the specific bird.
16. Bird field guides such as Peterson, Stokes, Golden, or Sibley. Sibley’s Guide to Birds (not Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior) is best if bringing only one field guide. This popular book can usually be purchased at any bookstore.
17. Bring your laptop to the class if possible.
18. Bring your sketchbook.
1 Lake Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
broadmoorgalleries.com
