Kirk Green - Texas/Western Painter

Artist Statement:
What’s up with this whole “Texas Pride” thing anyway? I’m a Texan myself and can’t explain it. I’ve lived here all my life, not counting a 2-year detour to New York when I was 6 years old. Maybe it’s the size of our state or that we were for a short time, our own country. I don’t know. Maybe we like the stereotype that the movies and television have branded us with and want to perpetuate the fantasy. I kind of like the thought of an oil well and a herd of ponies and longhorns in my backyard pasture and going out to practice my quick draw skills in my boots and 10-gallon hat. Why I can just picture it now…

That’s what my art is about, sharing with you my perception of our great big, loud, cowboy boot wearing, chili eating, armadillo chasing, wide open spaces, Texas. Vibrant colors, close up subjects, wild brushstrokes and linework are what you’ll see on my canvases.

Description of Work:
Some people have described my work as Western Pop Art, which I find fitting since it’s usually western in theme and does try to jump out and grab you. Most of my work is acrylic on canvas, 18x24 to 36x48, 1 inch deep, gallery wrapped, unframed. My subjects are representational with a stylized realism. Lately, my paintings have included a loose, line drawing technique. I block in background areas and shapes with brushes, then mix squeeze bottles of paint and use these to “draw” the line details with thick paint to add dimension. My aim is to please the viewer and connect with them, not shock them. As far as influences on my art, from the past it would be Van Gogh and Jackson Pollack, at present, Robert Joyner, Jonas Gerard, Carrie Fell, Louisa McElwain, and Teresa Elliott.