Today I did a painting performance piece as part of the WonderRoot INdex. This was held during the weekly East Atlanta Farmers Market. I was recently asked if I wanted to do something or sell art or create some sort of event for the local neighborhood at the farmers market. I knew right away that I wanted to do something different. I wanted to come up with something to show my art but make people think. WonderRoot was in full support.

I built a wall out of panel and cardboard. Then I began to paint. Every 20-30 minutes I would rest. I brought a small simple cot and a stand and an alarm. I would rest and sleep until the alarm went off. The crowd stood around and watched me work and then rest. I would lie silently with my hands on my chest; hat pulled down across my face.

I had a sign that said I was working; then on my “breaks” I changed it to display the resting sign. I had signs I made to somewhat explain what I was attempting to do. I painted and re-painted. I wrote and painted over. I wrote again.

I tried to share the message my artist friend Charlie Brouwer and I had discussed a week ago over Chinese food on Buford Highway. We spoke about the concept of work and rest and how people need something to do. There is a inherent value in staying busy. It is good for the mind. On the flip side we also as humans need rest to think and recuperate. Charlie helped me hone my ideas and gave me the “Awake O’ Sleeper” reference from the book of Ephesians. To him I am thankful for his advice and fellow artistmanship. Check out some of his art here.

While I painted I had a lot of people talk about what I was doing. I liked it when people would read what I had written on the wall. Kids asked me questions and adults discussed where the thoughts and colors were originating from. One child asked their parents while I laid with my eyes closed,”Is he dead?” “No honey, he is just resting”, the parents replied.

Thanks very much to Maggie and Chris and Charlie(yet another Charlie) from WonderRoot for your help and encouragement. Thanks also to Maria for the photography and assistance.

To see more pictures of the event look here.

- kyle

Phase 2: Last Thursday an army of volunteers from the Atlanta Falcons and The Arthur Blank Foundation descended upon City of Refuge. Between 15 and 20 people helped paint all the colors on my mural. I had created an 80 foot long coloring book and they filled in the blanks. I made a color chart for the team to use as a guide. They arrived in their bus, had a pep talk from Pastor Bruce and went to work; no messing around.

Brushes started moving and within just a few minutes the wall began to fill with color. I walked back and forth and answered questions, poured paint, washed brushes and told everyone to not worry about being perfect. I told them they were doing great and I was happy they were there to assist me. I really was amazed at how fast the wall transitioned from black lines to full color. Looking back on it I find it even more amazing.

If I had known ahead of time I would have shined my shoes and combed my hair because Falcons Coach Mike Smith, Falcons CEO Rich McKay and Owner Arthur Blank all were there to help the team finish by lunch. I was even interviewed by a camera crew. What a day!

Phase 3: This week I returned to finish the wall. I wanted to do some shading work and add a lot of details. I should learn that things will always take longer to complete than you initially think they will. This time I was in the room all by myself; just the paint and me. I had my nose to the wall for a while and was working on tiny lines and finishing touches. I stood up and stepped backed and realized that the volunteer team and myself had created something really wonderful. I know the children who will use the playground will be filled with happiness and imagination as they play next to the mural. I was pleased.

I want to thank City of Refuge for this great opportunity. I also want to thank all of the people that painted with me. You all were very friendly and I enjoyed spending the day with you. Your work was greatly appreciated. Rise Up!

Here are some photos of the finished wall.

Read about Phase 1 here.

Watch a short video featuring the painting here.

- kyle

I spent the morning working with Margaret and Charlie and the gang to get them installed and making sure they all looked correct. I also created a giant happy pizza for Grant Central East Pizza. Seeing my art displayed in the big space of Tomatillos made me pleased.

You need to go by soon and check out the new artwork while you order a Green Chile and Potato Burrito.

I also am super happy to be mentioned in a blog post for NBC and Ford’s reality show Escape Routes.

- kyle

As I was on my ladder I heard metal clanging. I looked down and saw a large drill bit. In a minute a woman named Diana who was in search of a drill bit (no joke) came by. I had never met her in person but she knew of my work and had written me online. She was in the process of boarding up a property her family had purchased. She had boards in her trunk and bolts and needed a drill bit to secure them to the wall. Lo and behold, the size of the bit I had found on the side of the road was the size she needed! Wow. I gave her the bit and went on my way.

I was heckled on my ladder by the infamous Joel Brooks and then I saw Hudson near the Mennonite farm. Next I drove north a mile or two. Then as the evening sky was getting really pretty I almost fell off my ladder. Somehow I caught myself against the power pole with my shoulder and neck and kept myself from falling. That would have changed things.

I hung up the rest of my signs and made my way back home feeling happy that some folks today would see them and smile.

I hope the art stays a while and people won’t take them down. I like the idea of a lot of people experiencing my creations as well as children being able to spot them as their parents drive them around. It is something people can look forward to seeing on their daily travels. Several people talked to me last weekend and told me how they love to see my art and signs and crosses as they drive to work and back. This really made an impression on me.

On another note, I found out yesterday I will be in the Slotin Folk Fest this August in Norcross, Georgia. Very good news!

- kyle

I had been working hard to get the paintings and tent ready for the show yesterday. I was the only artist at the event and I had a lot of fans (mostly under the age of 6) that came by to say, “Hi.” A lot of cool bugs and beetles and buses showed up. They had good music by Swami Gone Bananas and Lefty Williams Band. I even got a henna tattoo on my arm of the snake I painted across the front of my tent. My mom showed up and had on some cool sunglasses. You can’t do much better than that!

I made a lot of paintings for the show and I sold almost everyone of them. I had a lot of people tell me how their children were crazy about The BeltLine Bears. I do not know what I really did but something has resonated with the children and people that see my painted bears. Sometimes things just flow through us and are amplified. People react to what The Spirit has done through us.

Thanks to Alicia and my other friends at Atlanta Progressive Preschool for all you have done for me.

- Kyle

The weather is sunny, so let us be happy.

- kyle

Two local farmers introduced themselves and told me they had my King Toof painting! They were good ol’ fellas. It now resided on the side of their chicken house. The painting had been on a boarded up house but had been cast aside when renovations took over.

I met a lady who told me she had a prayer group that would meet and pray over neglected and abandoned buildings and areas in the neighborhood. She said that every place they had prayed I had created and left art. This really makes me think about how God works in and around and through us.

I have sold more and I have sold less but overall it was a great day.

-kyle

(Musical interlude…)

I can see out the window of my old truck. The caulk is a little dry rotted around the vent. Things begin to get greener; softer. I see a little patch of remaining snow. I see a grove of Aspens. Everything is so different than the desert views and the dry skin of an hour ago. Wisps of white clouds skirt the high ridge a half-mile above me. I wish I could spot an Elk.

(Scene cuts back to my paintings on the wooden floor…)

Until the dust part happens I will keep painting and dreaming and playing my songs.

These paintings are not finished but I wanted to show some things as they progress.

Come see me at one of these upcoming events.

- kyle

Numbers clash and I smell metal.
I make the rules but forget to follow.

One drink earlier in the night.
I see a garage full of dark men.

The prolonged heat of a southern summer.
Wet blankets and thunder.
I think of morning rituals at night.

A loud speaker blares in the forest.
A before B, but what about D?
Two lilies in a milky white vase.

Your face is sunburned my friend.

Time stays the same,
but we always change.

(written at 11:11 on a saturday night in mid-april 2012)

-kyle

Yesterday and today I cut a lot of wood. I bought a new little sander thingamajig to help me out. I made bears and pizza and fish and birds and little squares and so forth. Some nice friends from up the street let me use their garage and driveway to work. They have a few large dogs. They hung around me and made sure I was happy. Some of the dogs chewed on wood scraps. Chomp chomp

I am making a giant pizza to go to Grant Central Pizza in East Atlanta. I also am going to be showing art in Tomatillos in East Atlanta. I will have a collection of paintings being displayed there starting around the beginning of May.

Next Saturday, the 21st of April, I will be selling art at The Midway Pub Earth Day Festival. I am making some new wooden bear heads and I will have some other artwork with me as well. The last sale The Midway held was near Valentine’s Day. Other than it being freezing cold it was a really good day. Oh yea, and my feet got really numb.

The next Saturday, April 28th,  I will be selling art at the Peace Love and Bugs VW show at the Atlanta Progressive Preschool. There will be some happy people beside the access road between North Druid Hills and Clairmont so stop by and buy a bear and look at cool VW Bugs.

So as you can see I have quite a few things going on. I am also making plans for my art show on June 9th at HodgePodge Coffee and Gallery in East Atlanta. A big show with new work!

Update: I just found out that I will be in the Fayette Courthouse show May 19-20 around the old Fayette County Courthouse. I will be on the corner of Hwy 85 and 54.

I will be posting more info soon.

- kyle