Kelly Kyv lives in Greece and was gracious enough to let me interview her for the month of February. When I first saw her work it struck a chord in me. I knew she was someone I wanted to interview and was on my list, I was grateful she responded.
Her drawings and sketches dance between shadow and light and are unapologetic. It is if she continues to nurture her inner child through her creativity. Her sketchbooks are like her journal, conveying emotions, personal and yet innocent in their own way and with just the right amount of weird.
I remember when I first saw your work, I thought, she has the weird that I like. Though I felt that there was a Timothy Burton influence, it also reminded me of some 19th Century book illustrators. I also felt you also had some influences that seemed familiar to me, but your unique style made it hard for me to pinpoint. What artists and styles influenced you the most? What books and films inspired you the most?
I enjoy his work, but my influences came from a much earlier time than Timothy Burton’s work. What I do have in common with him is that I too was inspired by Vincent Price, especially his voice! But instead of Timothy Burton, I’d say Charles Schulz more so. I grew up I the early 70’s and would watch all the classical Disney movies and any cartoon of that time.
And your guess was correct, anything of Victorian nature. This is why I admire your art Ezekiel, and the way you have mastered ‘ 19th century’ in your art . I just want to thank you for inviting me to be interviewed by you.
So yes, the Victorian illustrations in all the classical nursery rhymes. And as for reading books I have a weird relationship with them, I love everything about them, smell, feel looking at the photos. Everything except I find it very difficult to finish one.
All these things, enchanting were inspiring to me. School also played a big role. For me, there was nothing enchanting or interesting, but rather cramped, forced and confusing. I noticed everyone else seemed to be understand everything just fine and all I could understand was the language of art. Fortunately, to my relief, I did have sufficient art classes throughout all the years.
Sorry my list is long, but I often mention a teen’s art work that I saw because it was an ‘aha moment’. It could have been a copy from an album cover or something but at that age of 9, but after seeing it, I realized you can be a rebel through art. And lastly I must add that , my brother gave me Jack Hamm’s “ How to Draw Cartoons" for my 13th birthday and I needed nothing more in life after that. (how one angle of a line can give an expression on a face)
I still have it after 30 odd years.
I notice you do a lot of your work in sketchbooks. I am thinking that it maybe for multiple reasons. I know that sketchbook paper is a lot more friendlier to mediums like ink and pencil, but I suspect you always have a sketchbook with you or near you. I also suspect you are a notorious doodler. Am I right?
Yes, I especially had to doodle in school. (it calmed and secured me). This way, I don’t have to wait for anything, I don’t have to be able to afford anything or to find time either. Anything that I have at the moment is good enough.
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| Excerpts from her sketchbook |
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| Excerpts from her sketchbook |
One thing I enjoyed looking at most where your sketch journals, it's like looking into the mind of (and this is in no way an insult) a creative schizophrenic and I actually dig that. In fact, in a sense envy it. People who keep sketch journals are to me at least, those that have to draw. It's like an extension of who they are. It's obsessive in a highly creative way. How many sketch journals do you have?
I do have many. I’m such a hoarder with my art and do find it difficult to part with them.
One thing I like about your style is that though it may seem frenzied, it actually accentuates the areas that you focus on the most, like the eyes or expression of the characters you draw. That is what drew me to your work at first, the impact of the expressions on your character's faces or the soulfulness of their eyes. I suspect you are highly observant and that you have a high sense of empathy. That sketching and drawing is how you channel it. What strikes me most is your dark twist in humor, it's like, "yeah I know things can be scary and dark, but I can also play here." It is as if you take situations or memories that could overwhelm some and stand them on their head. Am I on the right path here?
By nature I tend to over observe human behavior. This is why I shy away from people as well and when it gets overwhelming , I just have to let it spill out, onto the paper and just let the unconscious do whatever it wants .. I guess that’s why the art may get darker or absurd. It’s not me being dark, it’s the dark I saw and I’m trying to communicate this information in a more positive form. I need the absurd, it makes me giggle, smile or laugh. They are such a great way to express affection towards yourself and others. And no one can deny that they have not seen the dark and light side of life.
Where do you want to go with your art? Have you ever thought of illustrating a story of your own creation, or are your illustrations, one continuing story?
For the last five years I've been putting aside enough pieces that would fit into a Halloween booklet. I’m not certain if it’ll ever it’ll manifest but I’ll continue my daily doodles, journals regardless.
You can see more of Kelly Kyv's work on her Facebook Page
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