Rural Missouri - January 2024 - 46

Kyle's work is inspired by characters from American history, as well as people he's met at historical
reenactments around the country. He strives for accuracy both in the clothes and gear his subjects
wear as well as in the depiction of landscapes he uses for backdrops in his paintings. His work
depicts grizzled trappers, brawny native Americans and wildlife. He calls his subjects " the common
people who achieved uncommon things. " Clockwise from top left: " The StoryTeller, " " Best of
Both Worlds, " " Arkansas River Trapper " and " Winter's Journey. "
Rounding out Kyle's love of art and wildlife biology is
an appreciation for American history. Reenactment is a
natural extension of his passion for historical accuracy
and research. Appearing in a number of History Channel
series as well as in the Mel Gibson film, " The Patriot, " Kyle
focuses on authenticity of detail, whether he is creating
costume accessories or a Western painting.
" I concentrate on the fur trade era from about 1800 to
1840, but I've painted early 18th century pieces and commissioned
a World War II piece, so I just say I do historical
art, " Kyle says. " I like the everyday American, the common
people who achieved uncommon things. "
Each of his pursuits and pastimes informs his artwork,
the style of which he refers to as " painterly realism. "
Sketches that take a matter of hours and oils that require
upward of weeks or months begin with research. As few
original photographs exist of many of his historical subjects
and none for such topics as the French and Indian
War, Kyle relies on books for the most minute details.
One of his first large-scale paintings of bison, done in
acrylic, is accurate down to the depiction of native flora
and fauna indigenous to a time and place. When his adult
children were younger, they delighted in having the opportunity
to paint a single leaf in a forest of trees in each of
his majestic landscapes.
Every painting begins with the painstaking process of
photo editing a landscape image with historically accurate
props or figures before a brushstroke is ever made. Kyle
composes the painting from original photographs, combining
reenactment images of horses and period riders with
those of sweeping landscapes. Kyle most often works in
46 RURAL MISSOURI | JANUARY 2024
oils, which he notes is a historical medium that will be
around a long time after the artist completes the painting.
" It takes as long as it takes, " he adds. " Maybe two
weeks under normal time constraints. Sometimes longer. "
Much of Kyle's finished work is exhibited in Cherry's
Art Emporium in Carthage and Lord Nelson's Gallery in
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Several private owners of Kyle's
paintings have become his friends, as well as collectors,
due to a shared interest in American history.
Equal to his love of the past is his concern for the present
and his hopes for the future. This is why Kyle serves
on an advisory board for United Electric Cooperative. Kyle
is fascinated with learning where our energy comes from
and wants to help make certain of its reliability and affordability,
especially to his rural neighbors.
In addition to some of his original pieces, Kyle and Sharon
exhibit the work of local artists, most notably that of
grandchildren Blythe, Becks, Nan, Sloan, Caroline, Lydia,
Ellie, and Wes, in their rural Dekalb County home just
outside Maysville.
These construction paper and crayon creations -
which might include a feather from one of their days spent
exploring in the woods - often reflect a
shared appreciation for nature and take
pride of place alongside Papa's framed
oil paintings.
Maysville
To see more of Kyle Carroll's art
visit www.kylecarrollart.com.
Fagan is a freelance writer from
Cameron.

http://www.kylecarrollart.com

Rural Missouri - January 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - January 2024