Q&A with Kyle Ragsdale
by Shauta Marsh
Shauta Marsh
Kyle Ragsdale is curator of the gallery at the Harrison Center for the Arts. His paintings, with the trademark lanky men and women, leave viewers haunted in a good way. He is currently one of five artists who have contributed work to the public art project Picture Windows 2005. Go to
www.harrisoncenter.org for more information.
Q: What are you reading now?
A: Blankets by Craig Thompson, Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Q: What do you like about the Indianapolis art scene?
A: I love Indy. I love the art scene here. I am excited about the work people are doing, the shows that [are in the] downtown galleries, the current leadership of the city, the Arts Council and the events and shows that we do at the Harrison Center. I think that this is a great town to be an artist. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love and that people are buying paintings.
Q: What don’t you like?
A: People that don’t like Indy and the art scene. In the words of Otis, “If you don’t like it here get the hell out.” I think SOME people from here have this inferiority complex and can’t appreciate all the great things about being here (cheap rent, friendly people and good community).
Q: What inspires you?
A: The ocean, Josie, fancy magazines, music from Luna downtown and my awesome community of artist friends at the Harrison Center.
Q: Drug of choice?
A: White mocha, Coke and Jack and Coke.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about what you do?
A: Artists that bring their work too late.
Q: What’s your favorite cartoon?
A: I don’t like cartoons but I do like home improvement shows — same thing
Q: Can love be pornographic?
A: I hope so.
