We recently connected with Kylie Fair Anderson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kylie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I am a painter, and I feel incredibly blessed to get to pursue my passion every day. I have always considered myself a very driven individual with anything I have ever set my mind to, and my art career has been no different. I absolutely love what I do, and I approach it every day with excitement and determination. Whether it’s spending hours on site working on a painting, driving to a particular location to get that perfect paint worthy view, or waking up early to get the perfect lighting for a reference photo, I am up to the challenge. I believe that my work ethic comes from a strong passion for my craft, my dedication, setting goals for myself, and holding myself accountable to the promises I have made myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Since as far back as I can remember, I have always loved creating art. Whether it was crayons on paper, or sculpting my play-doh; my creativity and curiosity for art began at a very young age. I remember learning shading techniques at the age of ten and then at eleven, setting up my first still life composition of fruit and flowers. I was so proud of that painting and still am to this day even though now the end result would be very different. I am a landscape artist, but on occasion, I enjoy painting other subjects as well. I let my inspiration guide me wherever it may take me. As for medium, I work with both oil and acrylic paint and often paint bright colors, which I believe to be a reflection of my bubbly and energetic personality. I enjoy painting in my studio, as well as Plein Air.
Growing up I attended art classes and always dreamed of becoming a professional artist. In 2016, I had the opportunity to attend the University of Washington where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Drawing. It was during my time there that I discovered my love for Plein Air painting. There is something so special about creating art while being immersed in nature. In that setting I am not only able to see beauty; I am able to hear the rustling of the leaves, smell the fragrance of the flowers, feel the heat of the sun, and then capture that experience forever onto my canvas.
As a Plein Air painter living in the Pacific Northwest, I am truly blessed with endless inspiration all around me.. Earlier this year though, I had the amazing opportunity of not only painting the beautiful Pacific Northwest, but painting all across the United States as well. For two whole months I traveled across the country painting. It was just myself and a car full of canvases and art supplies. I went as far as Louisiana, and then made my way back home to Washington state. It was an amazing experience getting to see so many beautiful views, and to experience painting different landscapes, such as the desert. I hope to have many more painting adventures like this in my future!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have helped me the most on my artistic journey, have been patience, passion, and curiosity. Advice I would give to others on an artistic journey is to be patient with themselves and to trust the process. A piece of art may go through multiple stages before it begins to reflect what we see in our minds eye. In my experience, I have found that it is best to not to rush the process, and to make sure I am having fun and enjoying the experience of creating. Often times, I have multiple works in progress going at once, because sometimes it is best to take a break from a piece and work on a new one, rather than force something that isn’t meant to be finished yet.
It has always been important to me that I am passionate about what I am painting and that I feel truly inspired by it. I take careful consideration when deciding my painting subject to make sure it greatly interests me, and I often spend time in nature to unlock new ideas. My advice to other artists is to follow your inspiration and what interests you. That could possibly mean stepping away from a project because it no longer excites you, or changing your art piece drastically and taking it in a new direction, and that’s okay. What matters most is that YOU love it and that you are enjoying the experience of creating.
Often times, people will ask if I am a self taught artist, or whether I have gone to art school. Truthfully, I see it as a bit of both, Although I have gone to art school, since graduating I have continued to teach myself and improve my skills everyday. I strive to always remain curious. and throughout the years I have had so much fun exploring with different mediums and art styles. My advice to others is to also stay curious and not afraid to try new things. Often times, I change my mind during a painting and add something completely unplanned. Sometimes it doesn’t work out and I end up painting over it, but sometimes it does and I am so glad I took the chance because had I not, I would never know what it could become.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Growing up, I was raised by my father who is also an artist. Therefore, from a very young age I was surrounded by art. He too is a painter and our home was consistently filled with creativity. I have always been in awe of his artwork and I loved that his paintings would decorate our walls, much a like a gallery. Seeing my Dad’s passion and excitement for art had a large impact on me. He encouraged me to explore painting and drawing as well, and would teach me a variety of painting techniques. He often set up objects for me to paint from life, such as an apple or a vase of flowers, and he would then critique my work, and give me advice. I am forever grateful for the encouragement I have always received from my Dad and I am proud to say that I take after my father, who I love very much and look up to greatly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kyliefairart.com
- Instagram: Kylie_fair_art
- Facebook: Kylie Fair Art
- Youtube: Kylie_fair_art
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
