Kyle Dreier - Mr. Critical

Since moving to Franklin, TN from Dallas, TX my wife and I have noticed that we’re not the only ones in love with our new surroundings yet loyal and proud of our previous home state, Texas.

We continue to get people asking us where we got our window sticker … I Texas TN … so I decided to make them available to anyone who desires one for themselves.

These are being offered for free with a little solicitation for a donation for our daughter-to-be (Ruby) whom we are adopting from China.

Get a window/bumper sticker. Make a donation. Celebrate Texas. Celebrate Tennessee. Support adoption.

Send your request (or your donation) to:
Kyle Dreier (for Ruby)
2039 Glastonbury Drive
Franklin, TN 37069

If you’re from Texas, post a “comment” and let us know where you’re from, what you miss from TX and what you like about TN.

Or, click here to join our Facebook Group.

– Kyle Dreier

While at first glance you may have thought “careless” it’s actually car-less. Yes, I’ve decided to trade my $60 per gas tank fill up for the way of the old world. Not really. I’m just in waiting for my “new” car from Dan. This waiting has been good.

The other day I had a meeting scheduled in downtown Franklin and decided I would walk the 3 or 4 miles from my home. I overestimated my pace and underestimated the time it would take. As it ended up it was about 1 1/4 hours.

It was a peculiar morning as I headed out and, as usual, I had my camera in tow. It had rained earlier and the sky was quietly moving on. I didn’t camp out at any one point of interest but as I was walking I did see things that prompted a quick snap-shot.

Honestly, this was a great walk and besides being late to my meeting (sorry Brian) my soul was fed and I’m sure my heart benefited from the exercise.

This is a sampling of what I saw between Fieldstone Farms and Downtown Franklin.

Yes, that’s what the sky looked like. Almost like a painting.

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Um, … more sky.

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This growing just a few feet from traffic along Hillsboro Road.

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A cute little house just behind the rec center.

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Is this poison ivy? I never know.

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I love the graphic nature of common things.

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Location, location, location. 2 blocks from Downtown Franklin.

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This is a neat stone wall on the edge of a very old cemetery.

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Rose garden at the corner of South Margin and 4th Avenue.

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So there you have it. What took me over an hour to walk you just got to enjoy in less than 2 minutes.

– Kyle Dreier

About three and a half years ago Amy and I purchased a condo which was simply a drawing of a floor plan and a couple of artist renderings. Construction was completed in September of 2007 and we began decorating and setting up our vacation home. We’ve decorated it and equipped it for our use as well as for guests.

March 1 officially starts the peak rental season and I’m rather pleased with how everything turned out. We’ve created a web site with additional information about our beach condo.

If you’re interested in getting discounts and last minute deals make sure to sign up via our www.1708shores.com web site.

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If you are interested in rates and availability and additional photos please check our Shores of Panama web site.

See you at the beach!

- Kyle

Ever since I was a boy I’ve had a certain affinity for Whataburgers. I can remember my mom saying those ever welcome words of “you wanna get a Whataburger?”

The love continued through high school and college and now well into adulthood. But this is where my story takes a dark turn.

In 1998 Amy and I moved to Tennessee where if you were to ask where to find a Whataburger you’d likely get a response of “A what-a-what?”

While my obsession for Whataburger pales in comparison to Wayne Geyer’s, I do, when given the opportunity, go a little out of my way to rekindle my Whataburger taste buds.

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This past weekend I kept an eagle eye on the roadside as I headed down to Florida. Apparently Alabama is more worthy of not just one, but multiple Whataburger locations. I stopped at one of them, just 2.5 hours south of my home.

- Kyle Dreier

I’m the kind of guy that has to just stop and unplug most days. In my single days when I was working as Art Director for American Way magazine I lived less than one mile from work and I had no TV. I totally missed the entire OJ Simpson ordeal.

So, what did I do without a TV? I ran a bunch. I Rollerbladded more. I’d hop in the car and dart off to a local park and skate for an hour or two. I was in good shape. That was sixteen years ago.

So what about today? Lately I’ve found myself channel surfing through stupid stuff on TV. We don’t have cable … not that it’d be any better.

“Enough!” I say.

Thanks to my pal and fellow Steve Martin fan, Jeff McMahon, I started the year off reading the Steve Martin autobiography. Good read, especially for anyone who has followed him since his first album or before.

Now, I’m on the self imposed one-book-per-month plan.

January: Steve Martin autobiography
February: Financial Peace - Dave Ramsey
March: My Name is Asher Lev - Chaim Potok
April: Boundaries - Townsend/Cloud

The rest of the year is still up for grabs, but so far, I’ve already read more than I have in the past 5 years.

- Kyle Dreier (less vegetated)

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

My wife doesn’t mind me going out on dates with … well, er, uh … with our boys. Blake and I ended up at his favorite spot once again.

This time Blake was craving a “Goessel Soda”. Know what one is? You likely find someone that does unless your in central Kansas. It’s a root beer float. It’s also Grandpa’s favorite.

I have to say that it wasn’t much of a sacrifice for me. I’m sure some day he’ll have a favorite place that I will despise.

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I’m already looking forward to our next date. Same place, I hope. Same great company, for sure.

- Kyle

Today was Blake’s first full day of Kindergarten.

How do you describe the velocity of time as it relates to the aging of your own children? Once again the importance of the word “today” as this is all we have. Proverbs 27:1

- Kyle