The objects in Kyle Polzin’s tableaux have had a life, expertly made, used and cared for. He paints their details in a raking light and leaves parts in mysterious shadow.
“The draw that I have to paint detail,” he explains, “comes from my genuine interest in the items I choose as my subjects. I’ve always had a ton of patience, so I’m sure that plays into it too. 
Salt of the Land, oil, 23 x 21”
“I love items that have had a life of being used and appreciated. Like an old Winchester rifle with nicks and scratches in the stock, or an old ranch saddle that shows its age from long days working cattle. It’s the patina that items take on over time that captures my interest, so I try to replicate that in my paintings. I’m curious about a lot of things, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to subjects. But it’s the things that I grew up around that interest me most.
Legends in the Field, oil, 24 x 33”
“My grandfather was a cowboy, and some of my earliest memories are opening the old tack barn out where he kept the horses. The light would spill across saddles, horse blankets, and bridles hanging here and there. And the smell of oiled leather was strong.
“When I choose a subject to paint, I try and imagine the place it came from and where it was kept or the items that might have surrounded it. After I’ve collected all of the elements, I try and compose the scene like it was a diorama. An idealistic setting where all of the pieces fit together to tell a story.”
Buffalo Shield, oil, 48 x 29”
Paintings like Salt of the Land recall the great trompe l’oeil painters of the 19th century such as William Harnett and John Peto who tacked and hung items against a background, often with a soft overall light. Polzin’s use of light sets him apart.
“I have always admired the work of the early Dutch master painters and their ability to capture realism in their subjects,” he says. “Vermeer’s work in particular is fascinating to me. The light filters into the scene across the subject as if you are recalling a moment from memory. The edges fade to dark, leaving it up to the viewer to fill in what is happening outside the canvas.
“In my paintings, I try and pay very close attention to the edges of my subjects. By using hard and soft edges, controlling values and color intensity. My goal is to create the feeling of depth in the painting. Atmosphere and temperature are also factors to consider. If the light is cool, maybe it’s coming from a nearby window and it’s snowing outside, or perhaps the glow from a fireplace is casting a warm light across my subject. I want to leave a little mystery and let the viewer fill in the blanks.”
His most recent paintings will be offered to bidders through an online auction at Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 11. —
Upcoming Show
Up to 7 works
November 11, 2021
Legacy Gallery
7178 Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251,
(480) 945-1113, www.legacygallery.com
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