Kyle Surges

Dragged Through the Garden

2021

​I studied at the American Academy of Art where I received a Bachelors' of Fine Art with a specialization in oil painting in 2012. Since then I have been working full time as an oil painter to make this a lifelong successful career. In 2013 I achieved gallery representation through McCormick Gallery in the West Loop of Chicago. I met the owner, Tom McCormick in a local juried art exhibition where Tom participated as a juror. In this group show, I displayed a painting of a small, unwrapped miniature Hershey chocolate - Tom was immediately drawn to the piece. He awarded me 2nd place in the exhibition and purchased the painting for his private collection. Later that year I had my first professional solo show in October at McCormick Gallery. My last show with Tom was in Spring 2021. Aside from my solo shows, I have also exhibited my work in numerous juried exhibitions all over the US. I've also been fortunate enough to win some awards in these shows. Craftsmanship is one of, if not the most important, attribute in the process of creating art. Paintings by the masters hanging on museum walls are not only conceptually stimulating and brilliant, but attain the highest possible level of craftsmanship. I seek to accomplish this degree of professionalism in my own art and career. Pride is taken in every step of the art creating process. Even my frames, which I build myself, receive the same amount of attention as my paintings.