Kristine Byars, Texas Artist VL Studio Visit

Kristine Byars

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October 2013 Volume 2 No. 10

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VISUAL LANGUAGE

contemporary fine art

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Studio Visit with Texas Artist Kristine wildwood-studio.com

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VL Studio Visit Kristine Byars Color with a Twist Galleries have a difficult time pinpointing Kristine Byars painting style. Kristine (“Kris”) likes that. Her art doesn’t seem to fit in any one category. It’s been described as, “contemporary-retro” “exaggeratedrealism”, and “colorful-expressionism”. Whatever her paintings are, they convey a feeling of joy to the viewer and represent the world Kris sees. Talking with Kris, she describes her art, like her world, full of amazing people, animals, settings, and they are all bursting with life, vibrancy, and sometimes unexpected color.

Kris gives credit to her Grandmother, who was an artist, for her early inspiration. Sometimes on longer visits to their Wisconsin dairy farm, her Grandmother gave Kris and her sisters full access to her expensive pastels and encouraged them to use these tools to express themselves. “It was probably an effort on Nana’s part to gain some peace, but it was special for us. Both of my sisters had more innate talent, but I was the only one who stuck with painting.” laughs Kris. Then while still in High School Kris was given the opportunity to work for a small advertising agency called Kruse & Associates. These wonderful folks provided her with a life direction, and an outlet for creativity. She started on the boards...no computers of any kind. A self-portrait of agency owner Richard (Duke) Kruse hangs prominently on the wall in Kris’ studio.

She bought the painting last year at 89-year-old Duke’s solo art exhibition. After college, Kris worked in agencies and design firms for years, finally freelancing as an Art Director. But there was never time nor energy for painting. So she was thrilled, ten years ago, when her husband Steve encouraged her to return to painting.

“I really love, and am proud of what I do.“ says Kris. She works primarily in oils, occasionally in oil pastel. She took on challenging gouache for a recently completed children’s book project, as she wanted the vibrancy of oil but the matte finish of the gouache. But now that the book is complete, she firmly claims her allegiance to oils!

Horse Talk

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Ten Hours Old

Kris’ inspiration comes from several places which she lists as her love for animals, small towns, nature, global travel, and everything Texas. “Sometimes I think I might have been born in the wrong era, because I gravitate toward all things from the 30’s 40’s and 50’s.” She adds. The children’s book is entitled “Montana The Police Horse”. In it her loves are showcased. Fellow equestrian and friend, Debra A. Knapp wrote the story and Kris illustrated. Debra feels Kris captures horse’s emotions. Kris paints many animal portrait commissions and loves meeting every single critter, whether it’s dogs, cats, horses or longhorns.

When not painting, Kris can’t stay away from her Quarter Horse Sparky. “He’s so gorgeous I could just stand there—slack-jawed—and look at him. Or paint him. Then I remember he’s a really fun ride as well and hop on.” She says. Because Kris lives in Dallas, boarding Sparky is necessary. That’s what takes her to the country at least twice per week. On her route to the barn, She drives as many back roads as possible, and always keeps her camera ready to capture paint worthy scenes and subjects.

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VL Studio Visit Kristine Byars One of Kris’ favorite things to do is volunteer at a very special place called “Cleveland Avory Black Beauty Ranch” in East Texas. It’s the nation’s largest animal sanctuary and home for formerly abused, unwanted and neglected animals. Says Kris, “Kind of like the Island of Misfit Toys. I adore it. It’s a very tranquil place with a lot of really caring people who show the resident animals respect, kindness, and safety.” Kris has recently completed several lively murals which cover the bedroom walls in the Chimpanzee enclosure, as well as in their play yard.

“The bedroom wall is a night-time jungle scene, complete with glow-in-the-dark moon and stars! “says Kris. She has accumulated a wealth of great stories connected with those painting projects!!

Home for Kris is shared with her encouraging husband Steve, full-figured cat Bo-Peep and Golden Retriever Augie—”the world’s kindest soul”, according to Kris. Discussing her marriage, Kris says “Steve possesses the remarkable business abilities that escape me, and my creativity softens, and takes him out of his element. He helps me with every aspect of my craft including sometimes brutally honest painting critiques!“ Steve is an avid sailor and together they have traveled worldwide and bare-boated in some of the world’s most beautiful places.

One more source for artistic inspiration.

Nice Gather

Right Page: Everything is New

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Studio Visit Kristine Byars

Elegant Pear Queenie’s Trick

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Right Page: Got Your Back

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Studio Visit Kristine Byars

The Joke

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Girl’s Best Friend

Kris feels very fortunate. “I often look at my life and wonder, how it is that I am so blessed? I’m hoping the answer lies in Karma.” Regardless of your religious beliefs, good brings good. And Kris tries to reflect that world in her artwork.

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