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

There’s nothing like fresh. Fresh rain. Fresh vegetable. Fresh fruit. Fresh idea. Fresh wife.

I found a few fresh things at the farmers market last Saturday. I enjoyed the company, the conversations, the visuals, the atmosphere. Just a really refreshing morning.

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I was inspired. We’ll see if my inspiration actually leads to anything. If it does, you’ll see it here at a later date.

- Kyle

My grandfather’s brother is still in the business. He farms the original Dreier farm in Central Kansas. One late afternoon my dad and I took the boys to get a small taste of farm life.

My uncle talks of using GPS to steer tractors while we look at one of his huge tractors then we venture over to the side of the barn to see the remnants of an innovative device he and my grandfather built 60 years ago.

Blake, Jacob and Matthew where having more fun than if we’d let them loose in a Toys-R-Us. I was, too. The history. The visuals. The open air. But, I admit, I’m pretty ignorant to the hard work it takes to run a farm.

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Only 30k miles. Original tires. Still in service.

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Old equipment my grandfather and Nelson built.

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“There’s Frank!” the harvester.
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A lesson in separating wheat.

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Barrel full of things.

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Ready for the ascent.

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My dad and Nelson. Dad is 6′3″. Those are big tires!

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$1,200 to fill ‘er up.

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So, now I sit here and wonder how to engage my own desire and the curiosity of my boys like that day at the farm from here in a subdivision with 2,200 homes on one quarter of the land that my great-uncle farms.

-Kyle

Rather than me go into a long-winded diatribe about the poisoning of our children with TV and video/computer games I’ll simple let these photos tell the story and make my case.

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A special thanks to Jaden and Colsen for their tender friendship and to cousin Brad and Rose for their burlap gifts.

Here’s to more backyard fun for all!

-Kyle

(aka Mr. Critical)

How do you explain the taste sensation associated with a crawfish boil? For me, this was my first. I’ve been to New Orleans and had crawfish in a restaurant but that’s not at all the same. There’s something to be said about being outside and experiencing the process up-close and personal.

Thanks for some locals here with roots that are south of New Orleans, this crawfish boil here in Franklin, Tennessee was a great way to set the bar high right from the start for me.

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I will admit, one of the difficult tasks is digging in with both hands while also trying to manage a camera and a 5, 3 and 2 year old. Making things even a little more precarious was that our 2 year old is allergic to shell fish and he was eying these tasty morsels all afternoon. I’ll give 99% of the credit to Amy for watching after the boys and particularly Matthew while I mingled with my camera in hand.

I’m sharing the following link to over a hundred shots for those who wish to print out for personal use. Click here to order prints via Costco or view slide show. (side note about the photos … the resolution is good enough for 4 x 6 prints.)

A big thanks to everyone for such a fun and tasty event. Thanks to the Murray’s for the invite. I hope we behaved in such a manner that garners an invite for next year.

-Kyle Dreier

One could probably make a pretty quick, and accurate, assumption about what speaks volumes to my love language simply by reading my blog entries. Simplicity (if there’s a way to actually speak that into someone love language) would be one. Another? Let’s see, hmmm … what could it be. Food maybe? (In the Church Lady voice.)

Yes, food is and has been for as long as I can remember a very strong part of my love language. I enjoy a good meal. I enjoy preparing a good meal. I enjoy a good meal being prepared for me.

Love languages are interesting. I find that because I like food I try to use that as a love language to my children. I enjoy doing a big batch of French toast for my kids (although it’s been weeks since I’ve done this because of our new low sugar lifestyle.)

I also enjoy the art of food. “Presentation is everything” is my motto. I also enjoy the adventure of food. Amy and I recently had a nice date evening and at one of our favorite restaurants we let the waiter choose one of our entrees. What he brought our was a fantastically presented and very tasty dish. (I’ll blog on this at a later date.)

Friday night I experienced a carrot cake that was tops. I’m not just saying that. Just to give a little perspective here, you know how most guys at their wedding have a grooms cake? So far all that I’ve seen have been chocolate. Yes, I love chocolate, but at our wedding my grooms cake was carrot.

Friday night’s cake was the best carrot cake I’ve had. I mentioned this to the host, Susan McKinney, who informed me she was the baker. I should have know. She’s an excellent baker, cook, chef … food maker.

So where did this lead? Church Sunday morning I’m handed a half carrot cake! What a great gift. What a huge deposit into my love language account! It was so good, I had to take a photo.

I ate three pieces Sunday.

-Kyle Dreier