I have discovered another contemporary artist that I am just in love with. I am slightly embarrassed to say that it was while I was watching decorating shows on hulu at midnight. The show “Good Bones” reminds me so much of my mother and I as a team. Now, my mother and I did theatrical productions, not renovate houses, but it’s the same kind of energy.
Anyway, Kyle Ragsdale made an appearance when the mother-daughter duo were looking for some original art and came to visit his studio, and uh- I reversed the video THREE TIMES trying to catch not only his full name, but all the art in his studio. I wanted to see IT ALL.
But all they said was “Kyle” and I was like, do I just plug into Google “Kyle + Beautiful Art + Indianapolis”? But apparently, yeah, that was all I had to do, because I found him.
Folks. I am loving his work. But I also really enjoyed this moment on his website, where he listed his influences. This long list, with no explanation. And, sure, he listed artists like Gustav Klimt, Gary Hume, and Fiona Raye- but then he also added, golf, Scrabble, The Royal Tennenbaums, and Bjork. I LOVE that. Especially as an autistic person, who often relates and communicates to the rest of the world through references from movies and popular culture. (Think Abed from Community.)
So, I wanted to introduce you to Kyle, yes, but I also wanted to make a similar influences list, with no explanation either. Influences to my art, my writing, my life in general. So take it as you will… again, no particular order, other than my ADHD inattentive brain.
My Influences
- Harry Potter
- Battlestar Galactica
- Texture
- John Singer Sargent
- Tricia French
- Lizzo
- Zooey Deschanel
- 1960’s pop art and fashion
- Audrey Hepburn
- Paul McCartney
- Georgia O’Keefe
- Edward Hopper
- Gustav Klimt
- Pattern
- Hannah Gadsby
- Radiolab
- Ira Glass
- Justice/Responsibility
- David Bowie
- Penelope
- Lady Gaga
- Neurodiversity
- Westerns
- Star Trek
- Puns
- Compassion
- Zombie/apocalyptic novels
- Disney films
- Carl Jung
- Ironic covers of popular songs
- Mary Blair
- Margaret Atwood
- My family
- Ted Kooser
- Mary Oliver
- William Carlos Willams
- Dolly Parton
- Christopher Moore
- Marvel Comics
- Adam Driver
- Sandy Powell
- Emily McDowell
- Dylan Thomas
- Nolan Brothers
- Franz Marc
- Andrew Wyeth
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Jess Franks
- Michael Carson
- Anna Bond
- Typography
- Hurst Castle
- Queer Eye
- Inclusivity
- Laughter
- Warmth
And maybe… you? The people that I want to help. Always. You probably influence me the most.
holly loves john 