So, approximately two weeks ago, wielding the Journalistic Weight of this here cutting-edge North Texas Art column, I randomly tried to interview Dallas artist Kim Wyly, when her show opened somewhere a couple of weeks ago (at Cerulean Gallery?) ---- but I couldn't because she was gallivanting about somewhere in Spain with an iPhone™ / paintbrush in hand.

While waiting for her response, and while perusing her web site, I decided I really like her stuff. There's a certain good-good Outsider Dirtiness that I think is hard to reproduce -- without some core true-good dirty-dirty Outsider characteristics. If you know what I mean.

I finally tracked her down via aforementioned iPhone™ this week (the true Outsider's Walkie-Talkie) and she had these timelessly hard-hitting art opinions to express:

Mini-Greatness: Kim Wyly

Richardson Heights: What is your studio set up like? What kind of environment do you create while you work?

Kim Wyly: The studio is above the garage. There is plenty of good light. There are 3 tables and 2 easels. The studio is pretty organized... There are stacks of magazines that I flip through to get inspired like Elle Decor, Art in America, or Nylon. Music also inspires me. I usually play anything from Santogold, M83, Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gospel music, or the local 70s radio station.

RH: In your artwork do you employ any unique techniques that you've developed on your own?

KW: One technique that I use is I layer oil paints with gesso to create texture. I start with a painting or idea. Once the oil painting has dried, I apply a thin layer of gesso allowing part of the painting to show through, then I paint another design, creating a layered appearance.

RH: At what point, or after what event, did you start calling yourself an artist?

KW: I consider myself an "artist in training," because I am still learning. Art is a medium to communicate with others. Part of my art sales go to local non-profits. A few that have been or will be supported by the art shows are: New Friends New Life, Dallas Childrens Advocacy Center, Dallas Life, and Operation Kindness. This is a way to communicate and bring awareness of worthy causes.

RH: Can you describe how you develop titles for your work?

KW: Sometimes I think of a word that captures the symbolism of the painting. Most of the titles come from Caroline and Virginia at Cerulean Gallery. I will email photos of the work, then they come up with titles.

RH: How do you know a piece is finished?

KW: When I look at a piece and think, I would hang that on my wall.

RH: I couldn't agree more...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

So, if you're not so concerned with how cool your Tight Indie Rock Pants (TIRPs) are going to look at The Granada's Neil Sedaka concert this week, you should attend an art show instead and feel slightly less like an asshole....

FRIDAY

SQUARED
Artists' Showplace
SW Quadrant of Coit and Arapaho in Richardson
Reception: Friday, July 10, 6 to 9 PM

Featuring live music by the "Paul Utay Band" (un-fortunately un-googleable).

save nikki
Nicole Morrow (?)
Rising Gallery
4631 Insurance Road, Dallas TX
Reception: Friday, July 10, 6 - 9:30 PM

"[Nicole] Morrow feels her work is a way to express herself without speaking." And that is precisely why I put a heat-sensing Hallmark Greeting card that sings "We Are The Champions" in front of every painting I create. That speaks for me.

FLUXHIBITION #3: Thinking Inside of the Box
The Gallery - UTA E.H. Hereford University Center
Reception: Friday, July 10, 6 - 8 PM

"Sponsored by the Student Art Association, The Gallery at UTA presents an international exhibit of "Boxes, Cases, Kits and Containers" from the Permanent Collection of the FluxMuseum in conjunction with the International Museum of Collage, Assemblage and Construction."

Slow Cooked & Hickory Smoked
Etty Horowitz, Will Johnson, Linda Sheets, Katie Maratta, Kenney Mencher, Inki Min, Skip Noah (A++ Kick-Butt Artist), Jamie Pink, Andrew Wick, Camille Woods, and Dahlia Woods.
Dahlia Woods Gallery
Opens Friday, July 10, 6 - 8:30 PM

SATURDAY

Double Take
Joel Sampson and Maureen Brouillette
Garret Art Gallery
111 E. Virginia
McKinney, TX 75069
Located on the North side of the square.
Reception: Saturday, July 11, 7 - 10 PM.

Glenn Comtois
Eclectic Expressions
201 E. Sanford, Arlington TX 76011
Unknown time. Probably 6 - 9 PM.

Summer Series 09
Haley-Henman
2335 Hardwick Street, Dallas TX
Saturday, July 11, 7 - 10 PM.

"A group show featuring fifteen artists" [READ MORE]

Roberta Harris: UP
The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future
Reception: Saturday, July 11, 3 - 5 PM

Kenn Thorpe: Church and State
Afterimage Gallery
Reception: Saturday, July 11, 7 - 10 PM

Andrew Kendall
Metrognome Collective
Reception: Saturday, July 11, 8pm - with music by Book of Shadows at 10.

Image courtesy of Kim Wyly.