Meet Kyle Lucks | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Lucks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have treated my art as a business ever since receiving my first commission in high school, and I knew I wanted to eventually create art for a living. Instead of going to art school, I got a marketing degree from Arizona State, thinking that would help me run my art as a business, but also improve my chances of getting hired out of college. That lead to an exciting job in advertising and event marketing, but it required long work weeks, extensive travel, and exhausted my creative energy. I only had time to paint on nights and weekends, and I couldn’t get any momentum or grow as an artist in such short bursts. The silver lining was I didn’t have much time for a social life, so I was able to save a lot of money. Working in the corporate world as also made me realize I like being in control and I wanted the fate of my success to rest on my own shoulders. So, after five years in that industry I quit to pursue my art full-time. It would not have been possible without my live savings and the unwavering support of my family.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of the greatest challenges I faced as a younger artist was being taken seriously by older professionals. I was 26 years old when I quit my job and I was overjoyed to finally introduce myself as an “artist” instead of an “advertising executive” or “event planner.” I was met with a lot of skepticism and the common follow-up question: “So what is your real job?” The problem was I couldn’t get mad because most people didn’t know many, or any, successful working artists where I grew up. That fueled my drive even more because I was on a mission to prove them wrong and to not be looked down upon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have only lived in West Palm Beach, FL for about eighteen months, so I am still learning about all of the spots, but I do have a pretty good itinerary for seeing this town in less than a week. Sant Ambroeus in Palm Beach is my favorite breakfast spot because of the authentic Italian espresso and beautiful setting, both indoors and out. It is right next to the lake trail, which is a very relaxing way to enjoy the view of the intercostal and downtown West Palm. Taking a stroll down the illustrious, luxury car-lined Worth Avenue is a must, and I am proud to say I have original artwork hanging in two high-end stores: Faidra Hanna jewelry and Jennifer Tattanelli’s shoe atelier. The famous pink Colony Hotel is just off Worth Avenue, and perfect for weekend brunch. The must-see destination in Palm Beach is The Breakers Hotel which transports you back to the gilded age, which you can soak in while drinking a martini at HMF or dining at its incredible seafood restaurant.

In West Palm, you can scratch your art itch by visiting the Norton Museum of Art, and then a collection of art studios next door at Studio 1608. It is also worth looking into what performance is going on at the Kravis Center, which is home to the Palm Beach Symphony, opera, and theater. Grandview Public Market is great for a casual lunch outside and sometimes has live music in the evenings. I didn’t grow with warm weather all year round, so I take every chance I can get to dine outdoors or just sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents! They deserve all of the credit for teaching me the skills and instilling in me the confidence that it took to pursue my dream of being an artist. My mom has a degree in fine art, and all of the time we spent together outside of school helped me improve faster as an artist than the other students. My dad’s passion for sports influenced my most favorite subject, athletes, which I still paint today. He also taught me how to treat my art as a business, especially when it came to bookkeeping and taxes. And, above all, they supported me 100% when I told them I was quitting my job during a recession to pursue my art full-time.

Website: https://kylelucks.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylelucksfineart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelucks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kylelucksart

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kylelucksfineart