Kyle Dreier - Mr. Critical

Well, I have to say that I gave “My Name is Asher Lev” the good ol’ college try. Actually, I gave it better than that seeing that I wasn’t the best of readers in college – at least in my first round of college at Baylor.

I have the utmost of respect for my pal, Johnny Rogers, who recommended this book to me. I think I’m just not as smart or as patient as he.

In the book, Asher is preoccupied with his gift of art. I can relate. He and his art are not fully understood by those around him. I can sorta relate. The part that kept me from getting further than half way through was that the author Chaim Potok didn’t further the story … at least not at a pace to keep my attention.

Part of my problem is that I think I prefer non-fiction. I was interested in the human elements surrounding the Jewish persecution but would have been more interested knowing it was historically accurate. I may have been but I don’t know. Once again, my ignorance revealed.

I’ve had other artists recommend this book so I really really fought hard to finish it, but it just wasn’t going to happen. I did, however, pull a Harry from “When Harry Met Sally” and read the last page. It was the same at the first half of the book. Asher, his art, his whining, his not being understood.

I guess one redeeming nugget from the book is that I need to spend less time reading about art and artists and more time doing art. Maybe then I’ll have a better basis for my criticism.

– Kyle Dreier

Last night was the show opening for Johnny Rogers and me. I love Johnny’s work. I was moderately pleased with my work.

Here’s how it looked prior to me loading it up and taking it to the Nashville Art House.

See all eight pieces here: http://www.dreier.com/kyle/fine_art/

-Kyle

I’m nearly done preparing for an opening this weekend. I think art is more fun without the “show” … but that’s my own baggage. See my statement below.
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The messy process.

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Some neat things happen in the mess.

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The mystery of curious feet that found the paint. I still don’t know which child this was.

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The fun of trial and error.

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Forced into some calculation but resisting along the way.

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Artist Statement ~ December 4, 2007

I love the quote from Walt Disney “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

For me, I have to shut up, shut out and start doing. But, there’s a constant struggle for me – so often I feel that when I start a “fine art” project it’s as if someone handed me a musical instrument I don’t know how to play and put me up on stage in front of a critical audience.

I go ahead and try to play as best I can but have to close my eyes on my imaginary audience and forget they are there. I have to work at making my art for me, not to perform, but to let out whatever unresolved creative energy or muse is in me.

I don’t paint to decorate. I paint to purge my creative tank. What comes out isn’t always pretty. If someone wants pretty “sofa-art” for their living room then Pottery Barn is better suited than I. So often I bemoan that I ever started a project, but I eventually come to some resolve as I push forward despite my desire to turn it in to firewood.

While my attitude ebbs and flows I persist and take the hesitant step to allow others to see what results were produced … despite the aesthetic value, or lack thereof. I wonder what God thinks.

- Kyle

A few weeks ago I got to have a day just to myself and my camera(s) in New York City. I was drawn to so many visually intriguing things … primarily patterns and colors. So much so that I’m currently working on an eight piece show of paintings inspired by what I saw … and captured on film … er, uh … via digital.

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To see more NYC Inspired photographs go here.

-Kyle

ps. Stay tuned for the fine art results from my inspiring trip.