SoCal Spotlight: Kyle Morrisey, Painter, @AddictiveArtwrk on Twitter
His paintings have been seen at Angel games but it was about one year ago that SoCal Sports Media went out to cover a local event with Angels outfielder Torii Hunter that we first met Kyle Morrisey from Orange, CA. While recording fan reactions down the long line of supporters to meet with the 9x Gold Glove winner, we came across something that completely caught our eye and lens. A painting of Torii Hunter that came to life that had everyone doing a double take.
Click Here for Torii Hunter Video
And this was the early stages of sports paintings for Kyle Morrisey, where in a matter of a year he went from a man painting for leisure to now having paintings displayed on the walls of well-known MLB athletes.
INTERVIEW WITH KYLE MORRISEY:
1. When did painting become an interest/goal of yours? I have always been inerested in art for as long as I can remember. A lot of my artistic ability was inherited from my father. I started pursuing art as career about 4 years ago. The birth of my daughter, Kaylah, inspired me to start painting after 14 years of not picking up a brush. She has been my inspriation ever since.
2. What do you enjoy most about painting? I enjoy the fact that I get to create wonderful and meaningful memories for many people. It allows me to express myself with more than just words. Knowing that people actually want to hang my artwork in their homes means so much.
3. What has been your most memorable experience with an athlete? My most memorable experience with an athlete would have to be with Mark Trumbo of the Angels. I recently did a painting for him and delivered it to him at spring training. Not too long ago, I was at a local hang out after an Angels game in Anaheim, and Mark Trumbo was there as well. While I was debating with my friends whether or not to approach Trumbo, he recognized me from across the room and approached me. I was in a bit of shock. Mark Trumbo came up to me and shook my hand and said, “Hey Kyle, how’s it going?” With all the people he deals with on a daily basis and for him to even remember my name was huge. He thanked me for his painting and signed a few autographs for my friends.
4. What is the time frame to complete a painting? Right now my turn around time on a painting is at one month. Business has really picked up lately. I just recently started doing paintings for visiting players.
5. Who are your favorite sports teams and athletes? My favorite teams are Angels, Lakers, and Broncos…I know I live in California, but I’ve been a Broncos fan since 1986. Favorite athletes: Torii Hunter, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Tim Tebow, John Elway, Kobe Bryant…I have a long list.
6. Which artist(s) are you inspired by? One of my bigger influences has to be Stephen Holland. I feel he is one of the best sports artists out there. I also love the work of Vernon Wells Sr.
7. What was the first painting you sold and to who? The first painting I sold was a painting of Bob Marley. I did that one for a good friend. That’s what I started off doing…Marley, Monroe…The only down side to that type of work is that the people I was painting were not alive to sign my work.
8. What are your favorite movies? I love Hunt for Red October, Das Boot…pretty much any military movie that has to do with submarines in some way.
9. What do you enjoy most about Southern California? I enjoy the weather more than anything. I also love the fact that nothing is too far. Vegas is only a few hours drive. Mexico isn’t too far, either. The beach is right down the street. SoCal is a virtual melting pot. You’re almost guaranteed to see something new every day.
10. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would love to go to the Philippines because that is where my father’s family is from. It would be nice to be able to visit where my dad came from. It would also give me a chance to meet all the family that I have over there.
11. If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do? If I couldn’t be an artist, I think I would want to do something in the medical field. I like to help people. I was once a Hyperbaric Technician. Maybe opening a Hyperbaric clinic to help with sports injuries.
12. What advice would you give an up and coming artist? Alway believe in yourself and your work. Use all criticism to better yourself. Find an area of concentration and try to focus on that. You gotta love what you do. I don’t really see my paintings as work…I love art and I love baseball, put them together and you have a winning combination.
13. What is the best advice your were given? The best advice I was given was do what you love. For me, that’s artwork. My parents always told me that they wish they could see me doing what I love for a living. Right now, that’s what I’m trying to do. I just wish I would have pursued it a long time ago. I’ve been missing out on so much.
14. What is the most challenging thing about being an artist? I think the most challenging thing for me as an artist is giving up the paintings. I spend all my time painting. Sometimes when it comes time to deliver, I don’t really want to because I like the piece so much and wish I could have it for myself. I am also a father that has to make time for my family with such a tight schedule. There are days where I paint for 16-18 hours. Most of the time my days just blend together.
15. What kind of music do you listen to? I listen to all types of music. Lately, I’ve been stuck on Drake. For some reason, listening to his music just puts me in a zone to where I can paint for hours on end.
16. Do you have a favorite quote or motto you live by? The purpose of life is not to be happy – but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.
17. What would be your ultimate goal as an artist? I would love to have my artwork up in sports stadiums around the US. I have talked to some important people in the Angels organization about possibly getting my work into the stadium. Fingers crossed.
20. What are three adjectives your friends would use to describe you? Driven, Caring, Outgoing
Flash forward to a year later, Morrisey continues to paint his favorite Angel athletes while taking in orders on a daily basis. To view more of Kyle’s painting and to inquire about having a painting done, visit the Addictive Artwork Facebook and don’t forget to follow @AddictiveArtwrk on Twitter.
Want to recommend someone as our next SoCal Spotlight? Feel free to email us at Info@SoCalSportsMedia.com
No related posts.
