06/08/2009: "Brad Everett Kirkman: The Messenger"

Kentucky born and bred artist Brad Everett Kirkman is what some people might call an "outsider artist." He isn't trained, but some might say he's anointed. Looking at his work, you can clearly see that he's not only driven by art, but also a message. He works full-time for a precision manufacturing company, but art is his true calling and message. Incidentally, we had this chat long ago and begin by talking about his old website which has since changed to www.brevki.com and www.BradEverettKirkman.blogspot.com However, his message remains the same.

MICHAEL: Hey Brad. First of all, your website is called, mainrinse.com. Why do you have a website and where did the name come from?

BRAD: I felt I needed a space of my own that I could have complete control. No ads to distract and no restrictions etc. Main Rinse is an anagram of "I'm a sinner." I named it this so I would always be reminded that I am no better than anybody else on this planet. I will always be in need of a Savior that can fill the hole in me that nothing or no one else can fill.

MICHAEL: Do you draw (no pun intended, sorry) any connection between your art and "Main Rinse"?

BRAD: I really can't separate the two. I think of the website as an extension of the art. I can say and do more there to expand on the message I'm trying to relay with my art.

MICHAEL: I have several different representations of your work and I think it's more driven by your vision rather than even the material itself. How would you describe your art? I'm tempted to say "outsider," but I don't love that term.

BRAD: My work is a direct reflection of my life at the moment it's created. It's not necessarily "pretty" in a department store sort of way. And it's not something that a lot of people will want to hang in their living room. My wife would never let me display most of my art in our house. I want to encourage people with my work. If it's not considered decorator art, no problem. If you want to hang it in your closet and have a private laugh or a secret bit of encouragement that's absolutely great with me.

MICHAEL: I seem to recall you telling me that you sometimes paint things and just leave them out in public for people to freely take? What's up with that?

BRAD: I create little sculptures under the name "Prayzine" (like Praising God) and have left them all over the country for people to pick up and keep. I do this as a gift to others. It's kind of like a friendly street art project. Just another way to try to help people smile and point them to Christ in the process. I leave just enough information for people to Google the name and see what the project is about.

MICHAEL: So, you're like a wandering, troubadour artist with a message. Where have you left these sculptures? Have you heard from anybody who has gotten one?

BRAD: Mainly east of the Mississippi from Michigan to Florida. I also have friends who leave them for me in places they vacation and travel for business. I have gotten email just saying thanks for the art and encouraging me to continue. Not a whole lot of communication comes back. Maybe people think that there is more to it than it seems. I suppose they think, "Nobody would leave art lying around for free. There must be a catch."

MICHAEL: Does your full-time job influence your art in any way or do you keep the two things separate?

BRAD: You can say my art is influenced by my full-time job in that there are a lot of people that I work with who need encouragement or just a kind word. I see them as a good cross-section of people, and even though these people have jobs, they still have needs, be it emotional, physical, or financial. Everybody needs to know they are needed and appreciated. This universal need for encouragement is something that pushes me to continue to make positive, uplifting art.

MICHAEL: Many art people might ask you why you live in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. It's not exactly a booming art center.

BRAD: Hopkinsville is where I grew up. I've been a lot of places and I can't find a place I like better that I can afford. It's central, not too hot, not too cold, not too northern, not too southern. And it's easy for me to jet to NY or LA for my one man shows. Ha!

MICHAEL: Oh, okay. Why do I get the feeling that you've answered that question before? But I digress. You mentioned something early on about having "complete control" over your work. This is a huge issue with so many artists (not to mention writers). What's the deal? Is it the galleries? Who is trying to control artists?

BRAD: The pressure to make something that you know will sell is always lurking. You feel if you paint what you want, nobody will get it and thus not buy. I have control over very little in my life. My time is demanded, my attention is demanded, my finances are demanded. My art is really the only thing that nobody can tell me what to do.

MICHAEL: Yes, that's tough. On top of that, most of the time, you don't even know whether buyers are misinterpreting the message of your art. I also experience that myself as a writer. That must be a real issue with you because your work is so message driven. Still, you must create things hoping that there's an audience out there for it ... otherwise supporting yourself can be extremely difficult.

BRAD: I just try to make enough to pay for my supplies, anything above that is a bonus. I don't see me supporting myself/family on my art. It would be great if I could pull it off, but right now I can't see that being even close to feasible.

MICHAEL: So why are you even doing this? Aren't there other ways to spread the message? Living artists have such a tough time. What good is art to anybody?

BRAD: Creating art for me is cheap therapy. It relaxes me. I have a fairly stressful day job and I need a wind down activity. I tried other things, like golf. AHHH! That just added more stress that I didn't need. As far as the message, I have reached people around the world with my crazy little creations. I love that people anywhere can view my art just by happening upon it. If they look and don't buy that's OK. Maybe they get a little encouragement from just seeing it. Actually making a sale is just icing on the cake.

MICHAEL: Thanks Brad. You're much more than just an optimist. You're clearly a messenger.
Endnote: You can visit Brad at his websites at www.brevki.com and www.bradeverettkirkman.blogspot.com
MICHAEL CORBIN IS AN AVID ART COLLECTOR AND AUTHOR OF THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING BOOK, "THE ART OF EVERYDAY JOE: A COLLECTOR'S JOURNAL." CHECK OUT HIS BRAND NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.ARTBOOKGUY.COM

Replies: 41 Comments

on Monday, October 26th, funny message said

i really liked it....

on Saturday, October 24th, prosolution pills said

grate

on Thursday, October 22nd, vdsv said

Luckily for us, ed hardy clothing is one of the few labels that never go out of fashion.
ed hardy
Selling ed hardy men longsleeve,ed hardy swimsuit,ed hardy men swimsuit,ed hardy boot.
ed hardy clothes
ed hardy
Newest ed hardy,ed hardy clothing,Shirts,Swimwear Commodity New styles have just arrived.Cheapest EDHardy Sale.
ed hardy store
ed hardy shoes
best Ed Hardy UK Online Store. We provide customer with Large of high quality and low price Ed Hardy Clothing & better .

on Wednesday, October 21st, dan said

The closet is not the best place for your Bible, Koran, etc. This work seems more like Jesus Joy than Folk Art which is more about soul expression than soul saving based upon a brand. Different strokes for different folks they always say. Nothing wrong in expressing one's beliefs.

on Wednesday, October 21st, dandan said

This work seems more like Jesus Joy than Folk Art which is more about soul expression than soul saving based upon a brand. Different strokes for different folks they always say. Nothing wrong in expressing one's beliefs

on Tuesday, October 20th, furcoo said

You will surprise to find the high quality tiffany jewelry in much.Everyone will focus on the shinning of
tiffany co jewelry without awareness of
rovide 100% sterling silver Tiffany jewelry,you can buy discount Tiffany & Co jewelry here.Tiffany And Co Jewelry is the best jewellry.
discount tiffany jewelry, Tiffany Jewelry, Tiffany Jewellery, Tiffany Silver, Tiffany, Tiffanys, Tiffany's Jewelry.We Provide a wide range of fashionable
tiffany co jewelry, including
In 1950 Tiffany's had its biggest boost in popularity as Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's was published. Tiffany's was shot to worldwide fame in 1961 when the film adaptation staring Audrey Hepburn was released. This film and its star became icons, as did Tiffany's
Tiffany Bracelets
Tiffany Rings
cheap tiffany with.Discounted Tiffany & Co silver jewelries are provided in our Tiffany��s online outlet store
Tiffany Earrings
Tiffany Necklaces
Links Of London
Links Of London

on Monday, October 19th, acompanhantes sao paulo said

Great post!!
He is an artist who reaches out to others. Thanks for another glimpse at artists doing their thing, Michael!

on Sunday, October 18th, vigrx plus said

like it

on Tuesday, October 13th, DVD creator for mac said

Nice blog, just bookmarked it for later reference.

on Monday, October 12th, Kitchen Appliances said

I've been a lot of places and I can't find a place I like better that I can afford. It's central, not too hot, not too cold, not too northern, not too southern. And it's easy for me to jet to NY or LA for my one man shows. Ha!

on Sunday, October 11th, free internet advertising said

on Saturday, October 10th, auto insurance quotes said

It seems like a sign of a true artist, that he's doing it for himself and not for any type of social status in someones home. Keep it up!

on Tuesday, October 6th, Powerpoint Presentation Skills said

My frds would never let me display most of my art in our house. I want to encourage people with my work. If it's not considered decorator art, no problem. If you want to hang it in your closet and have a private laugh or a secret bit of encouragement that's absolutely great with me.

on Saturday, October 3rd, Free online games said

I felt I needed a space of my own that I could have complete control. No ads to distract and no restrictions etc. Main Rinse is an anagram of "I'm a sinner." I named it this so I would always be reminded that I am no better than anybody else on this planet. I will always be in need of a Savior that can fill the hole in me that nothing or no one else can fill

on Tuesday, September 15th, university degree online said

every artist prfojects some kind of message but hopefully they are not so self involved as to make that their ownly reason for creating a work of art.

on Tuesday, September 15th, online phd degree said

why can't an artist just wake in the morning , take up a brush, and paint.

on Tuesday, September 15th, online degree program said

This work seems more like Jesus Joy than Folk Art which is more about soul expression

on Tuesday, September 15th, life experience degree said

He is an artist who reaches out to others. Thanks for another glimpse at artists doing their thing, Michael!

on Tuesday, September 15th, quick degree said

I just try to make enough to pay for my supplies, anything above that is a bonus.

on Monday, September 14th, Tiffany Bracelets said

i like this

on Friday, September 11th, Emo Girls said

on Monday, August 24th, fred said

tanx!

on Monday, August 17th, art jewelry said

on Saturday, July 4th, Goverment Foreclosure List said