A few years ago people at the Canadian Mental Health Association suggested that I submit my art to the Touched By Fire online gallery, and that’s given me a chance to share my art with people who are most likely understand it.
I now think of myself as a Touched by Fire artist even though I have never been accepted for the juried exhibition, because Touched by Fire gives artists with mental illnesses a place to feel welcome and accepted. I think I have entered Touched by Fire about 3 times. I had already shown through the CMHA and local galleries so I was prepared and comfortable enough to submit my work. I may have first uploaded my work as far back as 2007, but I’m not sure exactly; it was a while ago.
I am reluctant to show my work at just any venue just because I find it so exposing. I put a lot of who I am, not only as an artist, but as a person into my work. My experiences with schizoaffective disorder have influenced my art and me as a person. The creation is a reflection of the creator. I feel a lot of my fears and hopes are projected in my work.
There are a few pieces I did early in my career that would portray my journey; the one that stands out the most would be The Road Less Traveled. I wrote in my statement for the online gallery that the creation is a reflection of the creator. I feel a lot of my fears and hopes are projected in my work.
Art has always taken precedence in my life it, but it wasn't until I unleashed the therapeutic value that came with painting that I decided to take this path. I have been creating ever since and have no plans to slow down. This still holds true.
Find out more about Kyle Reynolds at http://www.kylereynolds.ca and http://touchedbyfire.co/tbf_artist/kyle-reynolds/
