Copyright © Somerset Fine Art, 2007

Kyle Sims

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As a native of the West, Kyle Sims’ love of the vast landscapes and the array of animals inhabiting them came naturally. Early exposure to wildlife has made Sims feel at home in the wild among the many creatures such as elk, bison, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and moose. Sims captures the essence of all that nature offers to him to tell a story through his canvases. The artist paints to visually relive the experiences he has had in the wild. Sims says, “…being in close contact with creatures other than human is very exciting and emotionally stimulating. I have to relay that onto canvas so as to share it with others. Some of the animals can be very aggressive and unpredictable. Other animals can be extremely social, much like humans, causing my curiosity to grow. That is why I paint what I paint.”

Sims is young, but he has an impressive portfolio of work that embodies the talent and experiences of a much more seasoned artist. His goal is to be the best painter he can be. Living in Montana surrounded by the many subjects he loves to paint, Sims travels and takes in all that the magnificent landscape offers. From spring wildflowers in the Grand Tetons to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone to snow-covered vistas throughout Big Sky country, Sims observes, sketches, and photographs animals to later bring them to life on canvas. He takes advantage of every opportunity to also paint on location. Crediting their advice and studying their techniques, Sims has observed and worked with some of the most admired artists painting today. Sims has also learned to interpret wildlife through first-hand experience. The artist believes, “The more interaction there is going on in the field, the better the storytelling – and the painting.”

The talented Sims credits his parents and his wife, Joylene, and their encouragement and total support of his work for his success. His parents recognized his talent and encour-aged him through art lessons, while also taking Sims to art galleries where he was able to view works by some of the best wildlife painters in the country. His wife is Sims’ biggest fan and very much admires and supports the artist’s dedication to his painting.

Sims is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists; his works hang in many private collections throughout America. He is exclusively represented by Trailside Galleries in Wyoming and Arizona.

“The better the interaction in the field,the better the storytelling - and the painting.”

www.SomersetFineArt.com

October Grays

“Many artists like to portray these intelligent creatures within the confines of a pine forest, but I prefer the color harmony created when they’re represented scouring the riverbanks below the late-October version of some cottonwoods. I also love the feeling of a perfect, crisp, 55-degree day with not even a whisper of wind ...just the soft sound of a few remaining leaves losing their grip, gliding away to their new homes.”

Tension Under Yellowstone Skies

“My wife, Joylene, and I were very fortunate to discover this scene during late summer of 2006 in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. Much like African lions, the two bulls on the right came in and kicked out the existing herd bull. The herd bull was kicking up dust and filling the airwaves with his deep bellowing as he tried, with the best of his ability, to intimidate the intruders. He and one of the other bulls got into a nice, action-packed duel, with the third bull jumping up and down next to them, wanting a piece of the action. He eventually left the middle of the herd and remained on the outskirts. The two intruders then proceeded to make their way through the herd, checking to see if there were any females ready to breed. We weren’t able to hang around long enough to find out what ultimately happened, but, after talking to others, we were told the intruders usually move on and the herd bull takes back his place.”

The Melodramatics of September

“The drama of the elk in rut during the early parts of autumn will never bore me. Every year, we venture out to catch glimpses of it, which bring new ideas and excitement. Right now, I’m enjoying depicting the elk in a bit of a processional appearance, with the bull as the focal point and acting as if he is in command. Really, all that he does is to try to keep the herd together and round-up any strays to prevent losing them to another bull in hopes of spreading his genes to as many calves as possible. It’s a strong instinct and all that he can keep his mind on for that brief time out of the year and I, as an artist, am thankful for this. I look forward to that outing all year long.”

Kyle SimsLimited Edition Giclées on Canvas

Full ThrottleGiclée on Canvas

24”x 36”95 Signed & Numbered $1100

15 Artist Proofs $1300

Grande Edition40”x 60”

25 Signed & Numbered $2500A June Release

Evening PreparationsGiclée on Canvas

30”x 24”95 Signed & Numbered $1100

15 Artist Proofs $1300A September Release

Paper and canvas editions maybe available at a later date.

Full Throttle

“I imagine someone, somewhere in the annals of history, has witnessed this scene first-hand; however, they certainly weren’t likely to survive it and wouldn’t be able to tell anyone about it. But I wanted to relay to you, the viewer, what that someone might have felt. I was able to get a glimpse of it at an annual bison round-up here in Montana. I took some artistic liberties with added dust and arranging the bison as I saw fit for a strong composition, but this is basically what I was able to see from the safety of a ramp, atop the corrals and chutes into which the bison are herded.”

Social Siesta

“The more I go out and observe elk, the more I begin to pick up on small, subtle behaviors that really make for a nice story in a painting. This scene represents the rut, but the lighter side of it. During the middle of the day, many of the elk are down resting from the busy night. The bull will go around and many times touch noses with the cows. I’m not sure what they’re communicating, but during that time of year, it’s probably all about one thing.”

Some Guys Have All the Luck

“This is my largest moose piece to date and with the quality of reference material that I obtained last fall, I just had to go massive with it. I wanted to give the viewer the feeling of just how large the willow thickets can be, towering over the moose and also how tall and thick the grasses are. They make it very difficult to move quickly through. But, of course, the moose breeze through these areas with ease. The cow can be just as interested in breeding as the males are during that time of year, including rolling around in a rutting pit that he has urinated in. Sometimes it seems that they can’t get enough of it. This nice bull has attracted a pair of females with more sure to pass through. He’s the dominant bull in the area and is enjoying the peak of his life while it lasts.”

Evening Preparations

“What inspired me to paint this scene was the feeling of contentment on the cougar’s face and the overall warm glow accented by the softness of the ripples trailing away from the cougar’s tongue. I have been there before and remember how good water can taste, be it from a challenging hike in the Wind River Mountains or having one’s water purifier freeze up at night before the last day of a winter backpacking trip. But this cougar has enjoyed a very warm day and is soaking up some of mother earth’s nourishments before disappearing into the evening’s activities.”