Finding art within your soul can be to some, an unexpected journey. It may have always been there, but life and decisions can either lead us to, around or directly to our purpose. For some there is no need to choose to be an artist for it is born within them and they embraced it for they had no other choice. For others they must take the road less traveled to find the artist that lives inside them. Kyle Banister has always been an artist, but he has finally embraced his artistic soul.

"Josephine Earp" - Image of Dana Delaney playing Josephine Earp - ink, marker, pencil & pastels on hand made paper. Small photograph of actual Josephine Earp, wife of Wyatt Earp.

“Josephine Earp” – Image of Dana Delaney playing Josephine Earp – ink, marker, pencil & pastels on hand made paper. Small photograph of actual Josephine Earp, wife of Wyatt Earp.

Kyle Banister was introduced to the artistic world as most are through school in junior high. “I was led to believe that a person couldn’t make a living at art and it would be irresponsible to focus on art,” states Banister “So I took all the responsible classes such as Algebra, Geometry, Physics and Chemistry. I hated them all, but I took them.” The artist “bubble pop” took Banister from going to college after graduation to enlisting in the Army at the age of 17.

When you are a creative soul, it is nearly impossible to keep art at the door without answering, art it will find a way. “While in the Army I was often lettering on the vehicles, not necessarily a good idea,” smiles Banister and continues “I also tried racing cars for a while and I would letter mine and occasionally other racers cars as well. I worked in the automotive industry and was the youngest district manager hired by Mazda at the time, 26 years old.” It was just a little over a year later that Banister became the parts and service director of the largest Subaru dealership in the world. “I would letter all the point-of-sale signage myself as well as the advertising layouts. I even ended up doing some pin-stripping on cars,” states Banister.

"Electric Bull" - Copper Mountain Guitar Town - Hand carved bull skull, painted, detailed w/.22 & .38 caliber brass shells & turkey feather

“Electric Bull” – Copper Mountain Guitar Town – Hand carved bull skull, painted, detailed w/.22 & .38 caliber brass shells & turkey feather

 

It is often the “leap of faith” that begins the wheels turning toward an artistic life. After unsuccessfully convincing the Subaru dealer to open a sign shop within the dealership, Banister took that “leap of faith” and opened his own sign company. “With almost no financial resources, and without consulting the then wife,” smiles Banister “I started my life as an entrepreneur. I haven’t worked full time for anyone else since.”

“After almost 20 years operating a sign business, life happened,” states Banister. Most of Banister’s business was ski industry related and Colorado had experience 2 years with no snow. “It was like the perfect storm. Clients started pulling back on their advertising while all the while I had been also managing a semi-pro baseball team and investing heavily into it,” Banister takes a deep breath, smiles and continues “Wife number two decided she’d had enough and I let the stress of it all ruin my health.”

Sometimes without a little struggle we never find out who we really are. And, while the struggle is never a pleasant experience it often times opens doors we never dreamed of before. During this time Banister remembered his daughter, Jessie and the art that she would bring home from school. Banister started drawing again while he healed and put his life back on track. Banister also started going back to church and believes that this artistic journey is “very much a God thing.” He went back to school to learn the digital side of art and preparing to go to work for Halliburton in Iraq, Banister was thrown a curve ball and “that life thing happened, and that God thing intervened, I ended up staying in Denver to take care of my parents. With nothing else to lose and everything to gain, I finally declared “I am an artist,” Banister profoundly smiles and continues “That was Labor Day 2004 and I’ve been creating art ever since.”

"Todd Helton" - portrait - pencil illustration drawn live on TV for ROOT Sports - Scorecard Art

“Todd Helton” – portrait – pencil illustration drawn live on TV for ROOT Sports – Scorecard Art

Kyle Banister is a self-acclaimed multi-media artist that showcases his work in the following artistic mediums: Chalk/Street Art; traditional 2-D art done in Pointillism, marker, pencil and pastels; 1-Shot Lettering Enamel on Plexiglas, metal or wood; woodworking and hand carving of wood, Digital art, Photography and any combination of all.

Banister keeps himself busy with his art out there for the public to enjoy and collectors to add to their collections. You can currently find Banister’s photography at Lapis Gallery, 3971 Tennyson Street, Denver through the end of the month wrapping up the Month of Photography exhibit. He has a solo show “Baseball in ‘68” currently showing at Dazzle Jazz Club, 930 Lincoln Street, Denver. “The Art of Winter” is currently displaying a snowboard assemblage that Banister painted. “Mythic Creatures” a nearly life size painted Mermaid/Siren is on display on Larimer Square. “I always have a few pieces showing at Frame de Art located at 3065 South Broadway, Englewood.

"Denver Arts Week" - Chalk Art photo by Michael Rieger - featuring Randy Segura & Kyle Banister

“Denver Arts Week” – Chalk Art photo by Michael Rieger – featuring Randy Segura & Kyle Banister

You can catch Banister live in action creating a Chalk Art piece, today, Friday April 10th for the Home Opener of the Colorado Rockies with Eric Matelski. They will be located on the corner of 21st and Blake Street across from Gate C at Coors Field.

Kyle Banister is also participating for the 7th year at the Denver Chalk Art Festival, Saturday, June 6th 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 7th, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Want to find out more about artist Kyle Banister? Visit www.KyleBanister.com, email him directly at cuttinletters@msn.com or call him at 720-518-9449.

Kyle Banister’s philosophy for work, family and life is a quote borrowed from Max Lucado that he applies to all three: “Each of us should lead a life stirring enough to start a movement. We should yearn to change the world. We should love unquenchably, dream unfalteringly, and work unceasingly. We should close our ears to the manifold voices of compromise and perch ourselves on the branch of truth. We should champion the value of people, proclaim the forgiveness of God, and claim the promise of heaven.”