Kyle was born on June 12, 1980 and was raised near Cheyenne, Wyoming. Kyle’s training with the arts began very early, but with no formal regimen in place. His talent and interest was recognized early by his parents and they nurtured and encouraged this passion. He had very gifted art teachers throughout his school years and was well-instructed in the fundamentals and principals of art. Kyle also credits his instructors for giving him the artistic license and freedom to "run with things" without forcing him into their own vision of what is “good art”. Kyle also enjoyed the competition that came with athletics, including cross country, basketball, and track. It was around the age of 13 that Kyle began to realize that painting animals was his true passion.
To develop this passion, at the age of sixteen Kyle began taking workshops from professional artists. Some notable teachers were Terry Isaac, Daniel Smith, and Paco Young. Kyle began to heavily study the works of those who painted wildlife in a realistic manner and in the medium of acrylics. He used acrylics for five to six years following this time and recalls it as being a great way to continue improving in drawing and layering with paint. Acrylic dries very quickly and made the layering process more efficient.
Paco Young was especially influential in Kyle’s development. It was Paco that really hammered home on how important it was to get outside and paint from life. Painting in the field altered the way Kyle saw, not only his subjects, but how it can help an artist to make a more pleasing painting. This method will, over time, train your eye to become accustomed to how actual life appears to the human eye and mind.
After high school, Kyle attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. He spent much of that time taking advantage of the Montana experience and spent a great deal of time in the Beartooth Mountains. One fun memory he has is the fact that he was able to take a school course in fly fishing! It was an extracurricular course, but still a very fitting option for a Montana student. He truly feels that getting outside is paramount and is half or more of the enjoyment of being a wildlife artist.
Kyle Sims, now working exclusively in oils, has become one of the top Wildlife Artists working in the United States today. He has won many awards with his work, has been invited to many Museum exhibitions, and his works are highly sought after by collectors.
Every year, Kyle’s tastes with painting and art continue to evolve through practice and study. This isn’t something forced, but rather a product of time and passion, bordering on obsession. We invite you to join Kyle on this journey and make some discoveries of your own.
Publications
-Southwest Art "21 under 31", featuring America’s best young talent / September 2002
-Wildlife Art "Catch a Shooting Star" / March/April 2007 (cover) / by Joan Brown
-Art of the West "Paying Tribute to the West's Wild Spirit " / March/April 2007 / by Emily Van Cleve
-Western Art Collector "Wild Kingdom" / October 2007
-Art of the West "Special Beauty" / 2008 Guidebook of Art
-Western Art Collector "Fall Gold" / September 2008
-Western Art Collector "Following the Big Game" / September 2009 (cover)
-Western Art and Architecture "Illuminations - One's to Watch" / Fall/Winter 2009
-Art of the West "Gaining Ground" / Sept/Oct 2010 / by Emily Van Cleve
-Western Art Collector "Nature's Calling" / September 2010
-Southwest Art "Being There" / February 2012 / by Gussie Faunterloy
-Art of the West "The Studio" / March/April 2012 / by Myrna Zanetel
-Art Mag "2016 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Featured Artist" / Winter 2016
-Art of the West "A Passion for Creativity" / Jan/Feb 2017 / by Myrna Zanatel
-Sporting Classics "Painter Kyle Sims is one of Wildlife Art's Rising Stars" / Spring/Summer 2017 / by Todd Wilkinson
Awards and Honors
-Douglas Invitational / People's Choice Award 2000-2002 / Sponsor's Choice Award 2000
-Society of Animal Artists / Distinguished Young Artist Award / 2004
-Arts for the Parks / Top 100 and Wildlife Award / 2005
-Prix De West / Major General and Mrs. Don D. Pittman Wildlife Award / 2009
-Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale / Best in Show / 2009
-Masters of the American West / Bob Kuhn Wildlife Award / 2013/ 2016
-Featured Artist for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition / 2016
-Western Visions / Bob Kuhn Award for Drawing / 2016
Exhibitions
-Society of Animal Artists 45th Annual Exhibition and Art and the Animal / 2005
-Arts for the Parks Top 100 / 2005
-Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale / 2004 - present
-Trailside Galleries Artist Showcase / 2004-2020
-Artists for a New Century / Bennington Center for the Arts / 2006
-Ponderosa Gallery Fall Classics / 2006-2009 / 2011 - 2014
-Collector's Covey Annual Miniatures Show / 2006 - 2014
-Small Works Great Wonders / 2006-2012
-Settlers West American Miniatures / 2008 - present
-Western Visions / National Museum of Wildlife Art / 2008 - 2016
-Masters of the American West / Autry National Center / 2009 - present
-Prix De West / National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum / 2009 - present
-Southeastern Wildlife Exposition / 2001-2002
-Featured Artist for Southeastern Wildlife Exposition / 2016
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