Pulse
Pulse is the first series where I began exploring abstract visual language. The paintings in this series were created between 2017 and 2020.
Before getting into abstract painting, most of my work was figurative or representational. I spent many years training myself to create photorealistic images, but that type of work never really felt like ‘my art.’ This series marks a major turning point in my creative approach—I let go of the idea of creating impressively detailed work and transferred all of that energy into creating something that represented the energy flowing through me. It was through this work that I discovered my purpose as an artist is to be a channel for energy to flow through me; and my job as an artist is to translate that energy into the media I work with.
Exploration
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 x .75 inches (61 cm x 91.5 x 2 cm)
I named this piece “Exploration” because it was one of the very first paintings I did in the abstract. At this point, I put away my pencils, pens, brushes—any tool that might encourage my hand to be more detailed. I painted with my fingers and my hands. This painting marks the trail-head of the journey I’d go on from there
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability
Discovery
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 x .75 inches (61 cm x 91.5 x 2 cm)
Another exploration piece, early in the series—when this style that was beginning to feel organic to me. It was me understanding that I could translate that energy I feel and ‘see’ into something that others can experience. It felt like an awakening—like moving from darkness to light.
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability
River Song
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 x .75 inches (61 cm x 91.5 x 2 cm)
During the time that I was working on these pieces, I lived near the Rivelin valley in Sheffield and would go for walks along Rivelin very often. I would sit on the river bank to experience and observe the river flowing. I’d observe and experience it in a way that enabled me to really get to know the patterns in the river. That experience played into this painting, as I was conjuring into it the clarity, depth and motion of the water with it’s bubbles and foam. The orange-red marks like the little iron-rich springs running into the river. The green of the moss and everything growing along the river’s edge.
The energy that flows through all of nature flows through us, too. We must not forget that connection.
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability
Take Off
Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 x .75 inches (51 cm x 61 x 2 cm)
With this work I wanted to explore light and contrast. With a heavy white foundation, I pulled the deep purple and a dab of black and loved how the heavy white dominated those colors. The final colors added all had intense pigmentation—the teal, blue, neon orange and red/pink all feel like a celebration of light.
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability
tone of voice
Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 30 x .75 inches (51 cm x 76 x 2 cm)
I painted this during a time in which I was meeting new people. This painting reflects the energy and buzz of having lively conversations about philosophy, history, religion, technology, art… the scenes of these conversations were often coffee shops or on walks through parks. The energy was always warm and exciting—an energy of innovation.
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability
Dissonance
Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 30 x .75 inches (51 cm x 76 x 2 cm)
I painted this in a time of despair. This painting is like a portal into those moments when I was shifting from one reality to another, and feeling the sadness and frustration over a relationship breakdown. This painting captures one of the more difficult moments in my life.
£1,250, email hello@courtneykyle.com for availability