What’s New with Artist Kyle Gregorio?
Interview by Gabriela V. Everett
This week, art and fiction editor Gabriela V. Everett caught up with Kyle Gregorio (“Intimacy”) to talk all things art, representation, and what’s new on the horizon.
How did you get started with drawing? What sorts of media are you drawn to and why?
Everyone who’s familiar with me knows I have a great love for Pokémon. It was actually the reason how I found my love for drawing. I collected Pokémon cards when I was younger (still do). Just looking at the colorful and cute pictures of the Pokémon made me want to try drawing all those unique looking creatures. I taught myself how to draw just by copying the art from the cards. Ever since then, my passion for drawing grew with me.
I’m more so a traditional artist as I do love using just pencil and paper. In my opinion, I feel like I have more control than I do with digital art. I love using markers when it comes to coloring. I do also use paint, paint markers, and pens. I have an unfinished sketchbook from 2017 that I’m to this day still trying to fill out! I bring it along everywhere with me so it’s convenient whenever I’m traveling and have the free time to draw. I’m very happy with being able to bring that sketchbook anywhere I can.
How do you go about deciding who you want to represent in your art? Do you find inspiration from people in your daily life, or do you pull from your imagination?
My inspiration comes from everyday life and, honestly, social media. I stumble upon a lot of artwork when scrolling through Twitter and Instagram. Everyone’s creations give me the drive to create my own work, but in a way to express myself. I base myself a lot in my drawings as well. My drawings really work hand in hand with how I’m feeling in that moment.
I’m very fond of any cute and unique art styles. I do also appreciate art styles that look interesting and appeal to the eye. Comic books and several TV animations also inspire how I create. I feel like my art style changes with whatever I draw, but I still happen to show some consistency with my drawings. It just depends!
My everyday life plays a big part in what I create. Usually whatever is going on in my life, the people I meet, and the emotions I feel in that moment tend to be a great influence on me. I usually take pictures and I use that for references. Of course, my imagination adds that little flare to my drawings as well. I tend to daydream often and those little imaginations of mine turn into ideas for me to create.
When creating your drawing, “Intimacy,” was there any element (line, expression, etc.) that you focused on specifically?
I wanted to focus on the expressions of the men by showing a look of genuine pleasure and euphoria—something intimate to share with a lover. One man showing passion and the other expressing that bliss. The drawing was initially suppose to have color. After giving it more thought, I made the decision to keep it black and white to focus on their actions of intimacy. It’s just them enjoying each other’s love.
What is your take on LGBT representation in art? As it’s more contemporary to see queer couples being represented, do you think these representations come with enough nuance or is there work to be done, still?
It’s great seeing more and more LGBT representation. Social media is a great outlet to view all kinds of artists with different orientations, sharing their love and and experiences. The way people express themselves through their art is always so endearing to me. There’s so much love that can be expressed and it does make my heart happy. There’s always going to be work that has to be done. As of now, it’s always going to be a work in progress. We definitely have made great progression moving forward. Though we have a few missteps here and there that sets us backwards, it isn’t always going to be a straight line. We’re on our way for better.
Is there anything you’re currently working on or art projects you’re considering for the future?
If I’m being honest, not really. I’ve been super busy with work and my personal life that I actually haven’t taken the time to get myself to focus on starting a new drawing or project. Art is big part of who I am, but it is still a process for me to start. Even though I’m taking some sort of break from it all, I always catch myself doodling at work. You should see all the sticky notes I waste just drawing at my desk. I even get impressed by the little sketches I create. My brain is still in a creative mood, but not just fully committed to start a full project and that’s okay.
Kyle Gregorio is a spontaneous artist with a creative mind. He finds beauty in the most simple life experiences and uses that to inspire his artwork. He tends to mix real, yet silly aspects of life and expresses that dynamic.