We had the good fortune of connecting with Kylene Blossom and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kylene, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Hey, remember when. . . ?!” The situations this phrase has gotten me through seem almost endless.
Both my partner and I are artists. There can be many down times that come along with being artists; struggling to find a voice, outlet, time, materials, money, or motivation among countless others.
This partial phrase got me through times that just seem to have no escape. I like that I’m able to look back on something worse or more difficult than where I am or what I’m dealing with at the time. I also use this partial line to help bring successes to mind to remind myself that art isn’t only failure and struggle filled.
“Hey, remember when a full time job and several odd jobs on the side stole all the energy and inspiration for any artistic outlet or ability?”
“Hey, remember when we lived in my parent’s basement trying to find ‘adult jobs’ because art wasn’t a ‘realistic paying profession’?”
“Hey, remember when we spent four months in a subaru and all the money to our names traveling around to national parks and forests to escape society and be inspired?”
“Hey, remember when we were living in a camper in my boss’ driveway through a blizzard filled winter in one of the coldest places in the lower 48 to get back on our feet?”
“Hey, remember when it took days to finish a drawing or painting that now takes hours?”
“Hey, remember when my uncle Duane went dumpster diving so I could have colored pencils to practice my drawing and coloring skills as a little kid?”
“Hey remember when. . . ?” allows me to remember how I got to where I am and where I want to go.
There is always a way up from the many downs. The fun times and creative successes help the many failures that come along with art and artistic experimentation.
I have MANY people to thank for helping along the difficult path of being an artist. Most who have helped me weren’t artists themselves, they were individuals who wanted to see me succeed in the field I spent years of hard work and building skills towards. So the next time everything just seems like the pits try thinking of your own “Hey, remember when…”
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork is still searching for a consistent voice but tends to follow natural themes paired or combined with the human figure. My art in the last few years has been about process, material experimentation, and refining my two-dimensional skills.
I’m most excited about my figure drawing and observational sketches. My observational sketches are detailed sketches of naturally occurring or found objects. These sketches are mostly of plants and contain written notes and identification markers on the object or thing. They help me in both identification of plants for personal use as well as creating more accurate foliage in my larger works.
I’m an extremely tactile person and constantly contemplate what textures and materials I can combine to achieve what I’m after. From mountain goat hair and shark purse fibers to a traditional set of watercolors and acrylics, I’m all in. I love the idea of combining traditional western canon techniques, medium and ideas with the materials naturally occurring around me.
I reached my current professional point through constant effort. The community I have built around myself through all of my other professions, to support myself financially, have supported me through my artistic journey. Applying for anything I had the time, money, or pieces for.
Show season for artists tends to be summer. I have struggled many times having to choose between an art show or working. I was a server and bartender for many years and I was usually working on nights or weekends when shows would be held. I had to decide whether to work and make rent or attempt to be a professional artist and MAYBE sell my work (usually in a booth slot I had to pay for).
Its not easy. It was fun, rewarding, challenging, disappointing, exciting and a struggle but never easy.
I have overcome the challenges of being an artist through my continuous desire for visual story telling and creating things that are beautiful. I love to tell stories. Whether it’s through word of mouth or on paper. I love recording things that are beautiful, funny, or important. Different mediums cater to achieving the best format for different stories and that’s another reason why I have such a vast style and media tool belt.
Some of the lessons I have learned along the way . . .
Just because I made it with MY hands doesn’t mean someone else’s hands can do the same. There is worth in what my hands can do. I still struggle with this and often give away artwork because I struggle finding value in what I create.
Everyone has that one artist friend and they are going to lecture you on how “they did it”. I always have to chalk this redundant conversation to people finding common ground with me but it took me a really long time to realize that I didn’t have to do it how everyone else does.
I want the world to know that I’m just getting started! I feel like I’m finally finding my paths. I use the plural because I always have multiple projects going at the same time.
Currently I’m working on a collaborative series of works with my partner where we combine our individual skills in steel and ceramics to create a series of dryad with stone pedestals. I’m two illustrations away from being done with an illustrated children’s book about a pigeon. I’m also focused on capturing the stories around me whether it is in quick sketches and watercolor or full comic strips depicting the story in panels. I have a sparingly active (due to limited internet in AK) tiktok account that I describe political or social issues through drawn depictions. My pursuit of practical uses and collected material in art take quite a bit of my time as well. From natural fiber collection for weaving, food or sculpture, I’m constantly looking at the plants, fibers and materials around me. The last two winters my partner and I have been living in remote Alaska serving as winter caretakers and our art focus has been limited due to access but educational. We’ve created several earthworks and plan do do more. My most recent works are mostly travel sized because when we aren’t living remotely off the road system in AK, we are living on the road in our van we built out.
We are working towards building our own studio and finally have a place for all the amazing tool and material investments we have made as sculpture artists.
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 lived in Gunnison, Colorado for over ten years and grew up outside of Denver. If I was going to recommend places to go for a week long trip:
After getting out of DIA take either the light rail or a rental car to union station for a breakfast or lunch at Snooze. Snooze is an amazing restaurant with a great menu and an even better environmental footprint.
Union Station is an amazing place for a small walk about and an impromptu photo shoot. The architecture is incredible.
The Denver Botanical Gardens is incredible no matter the season.
If still downtown get tickets to Denver Meow Wolf. It is one of the most sensory stimulating things I have ever experienced but was definitely worth the experience. It can be enjoyed on many different levels from just a walk through to full story immersion.
For the next morning see if there is anything fun going on at Red Rocks like yoga. A walking hike around Red Rocks is a must but only if you are dressed properly and have PLENTY OF WATER. It can get very hot and watch for snakes. It’s nature, be prepared. HEad to the grocery store to stock up on good snacks and plenty of water and hit the road.
A drive up through Estes Park to see the Stanley Hotel and surrounding area is a fun venture, they have a ghost seeing tour. I was completely unaware I had joined a ghost tour when I went, I thought it was just a history walk-thru! Don’t forget to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park to see the amazing sights, elk and mountain goats. Heading through the mountains south drop into Leadville to get a Melanzana hoodie. Be sure to set an appointment. They are trying to keep the quality of their product high so they have limited their supply options. It is one of the most cozy outdoor clothing items you can get. Made by rock climbers to stay warm while still having mobility. Really great company. Leadville has really cool access to some of the largest 14ers in the state. Heading a half hour south to Buena Vista (BUEW-NAH if you want to sound local) go to the goat farm just north of town for some of the best cheeses and preserved goodies. Grab some crackers and your afternoon snack for a random pull over picnic is set. At the junction of 285 and HW 50 there is a Thai place that a friend of mine always spoke of.
Salida (Suh-LIE-da) is a fun place for dinner on the river. The Boathouse has a great mix of things on it’s menu. Rafting and fishing can be done in that area during the day. There are SO many hiking opportunities through this drive just take your pick. Heading south with a re-up on your road snacks and water go to the crazy place called Bishop’s Castle where some guy has spent his lifetime building a code-free “castle”. It’s an enter at your own risk type place but definitely entertaining. If you are in that area in early spring then head to Monte Vista to see the sandhill cranes dance. If stopping for produce grab yourself anything hatch pepper, olathe sweet corn, or palisaide peach! I would return to Denver cutting back over to Colorado Springs and go to the Chayenne Zoo. Head north from there and go hiking at Castlewood canyon just outside of Franktown. Yet again bring plenty of water and be careful of snakes. One of my Colorado vices = Goodtimes burger. They have great burgers, wild fries and lemonade!
My outings around the state aren’t usually stationary so sorry for the full road trip.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner Wesley is my biggest support and motivator. He is a trained sculpture artist; his input and critiques are indispensable for me. His support has been essential in many situations where my self doubt or hesitation would have stopped me from pursuing what I truly wanted. My family has been extremely supportive of my unconventional pursuit of an artistic life. My parents, sisters, and grandparents have always acknowledged my talents and creative ventures when possible. I have an amazing family and I couldn’t be luckier in that category of life and support.
Dr. Al Caniff, Dr. Heather Orr, Theresa Brooks, Jodi Petersen, and Chase Hutchison are just a few of the amazing educators and mentors who helped to lead me along my artistic path and training. Without their talents, teaching and support I don’t know if I would have ever made it past stick figure drawing.
Website: muddysteel.com
Instagram: muddysteel_art
Linkedin: Kylene Blossom
Youtube: Muddy Steel
Other: tiktok: muddysteel
Image Credits
Wesley Blossom