We were lucky to catch up with Gryphon Beyerle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gryphon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

People tend to view the arts as either a hobby or a profitable career with no gray area in between. Concerned parents or teachers warn children that art won’t pay the bills. There’s merit to this of course— the job market can be ruthless, money dictates so much of quality of life, and often creative fields have volatile returns, especially for those just starting out. The folly is believing that you either chase your dream or put it on hold. That you need art school to be an artist. That you have to be great before you can be good.
In college, I abandoned visual art, focusing on writing and academics, assuming that since I hadn’t chosen art as my field of study, it would be a waste of my time to pursue it. I was embarrassed by the talent of those who studied art at my university, feeling amateur in comparison with my lack of training. By the time I finished school and picked up painting again, I looked back and thought ‘What a waste of time, choosing to create nothing in lieu of making imperfections.’
I don’t sell my art, I just make it because it feels like I have to. The joy in creation, the satisfaction, that’s my only interest and compulsion. I make my living elsewhere, in a field that speaks to my other creative interests, and then come home and paint a portrait of a friend.
This is my disagreement with the perception of the art world: let it be what you need it to be, without suffocating yourself over how you stack up next to everyone else, or if you’re ‘serious’ enough to call yourself an artist. Enjoy the gray area between ‘career’ and ‘hobby.’

Gryphon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Though I got my degree in creative writing and spend my working life in the book/publishing market, I practice visual/fine art on the side. I split my creative time between untangling novel ideas and painting little creatures to stick on the fridge. Most of my paintings are done in watercolor, gouache, and felt tip markers. Some larger works are acrylic, oil, and spray paint. I have no formal art training, but I believe the only rule in improvement is practice, practice, practice.
I’m most entranced by dreamy, halcyon images— sleep, stars, winged creatures— if I could paint these things directly into the night sky, I would. With the right sense of magic, any mundane thing can be glittering and scintillating— just add stars.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Creating feels inherent to the self. It extends you tangibly for others to receive. A painting shows some sliver of the artist’s mind, the inner eye that otherwise would be inaccessible. Telling a story similarly reveals identity— emotion, interest, values— whether it’s a memoir or an anecdote from a passerby on the street. Even for those who don’t paint or write or make music— sharing a meaningful song speaks by proxy; you can learn a great deal about a friend, family member, or partner through their favorite books, paintings, albums.
What’s most rewarding to me is painting a friend and showing them how I see them, stars and wings and all.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

People seem to struggle with the idea that I don’t create art for money. Lots of skills are profitable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be. Frankly, I keep art for myself because I don’t want it to be tainted by money. With money there’s pressure, there’s expectation, there’s frustration. My joy in creating is contingent on art being the opposite of those things.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: gryphbeyerle