Artist in Residence, Literally

We here at Iwata Medea are a very fortunate bunch.

In our minds, we get to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country in Portland, Oregon; our local basketball team [Trail Blazers] just got Greg Oden; and we have the best airbrush products in the world to promote and distribute in Iwata. However, one of the most fortunate situations that we currently enjoy is having a respected and distinguished airbrush expert right here in our building!

Kirk Lybecker is one of America’s foremost and successful fine-artists. He is represented in galleries locally and nationally and has won numerous prestigious awards. He specializes in hyper-realism and most of his subject matter is flowers and exotic plants, (typically in watercolor), and architectural [urban] imagery, (typically in oil paints). As you can see, his painting style is beautifully matched with the capabilities of the airbrush.

As an educator he has also taught many classes on airbrush technique across the country. As a requirement, new employees are indoctrinated into the world of airbrush by getting to “spend a day with Kirk” on their first day of job. Having a first-hand understanding about our airbrushes and compressors is a vital for all employees regardless of their title or position. Besides, spending a day with Kirk is like spending the day with any “guru”. You hear the passion in his voice for the airbrush and its many splendors and you’ll be able to see the pain in his face as he talks about the carnage he occasionally endures if someone returns abused or mistreated airbrushes for repair. Alas, there is no land for Misfit airbrushes.

Kirk is also our in-house Technical Advisor and Airbrush Specialist here at Iwata Medea. His gallery and studio is in our building as well. On any given day Kirk is often seen by our staff meandering around the office discussing the finer points of “relative airbrush theory” or listening to his newly favorite audio book while working on his next masterpiece. Imagine this, for us having Kirk in our midst is like having Mario Batali as the Chef at your local family restaurant or Mario Andretti instructing at your local driving school. Here are five questions from a discussion I had with Kirk and his replies.

How did you first get introduced to airbrush technique?
A. I first saw an airbrush being used in graduate school. There was an artist who was doing some things with an airbrush that I really was impressed by. When we graduated I bought his whole rig, paint, brush, and compressor. I was doing oil paint at the time and having quite a problem keeping the brush clean. About then I took over a watercolor class for a year and found that the airbrush was much more useful with the watercolor than in the oil paint.

As an artist, what motivated you to include the airbrush as a tool in your own work?
A. Simply put, I am lazy. Or shall I say I am not an advocate of unnecessary work. The airbrush can do things that are difficult if not impossible to do any other way. So either learn how to make even transparent washes or use an airbrush. Artists through out history have been of the mind that if a tool works for a particular job, that is the tool to use.

What airbrush in your stable of airbrushes is your “secret weapon”?
A. I find that the Custom Micron series of brushes tends to be my main tool. It is one for the high end details, the things that make a painting pop. I also like the Eclipse CS. When it first came out I didn’t think much of it but I am now a believer. It is my brush for most of the general shading of things. I also use it on the oil paintings as I can use the .5mm nozzle. This is an easy brush to clean and does not seem to be bothered by thicker paint. I also am a big fan of the LPH 50 because it will cover a large area and put down a drop-dead flat wash.

Who are some of your favorite artists that use airbrush?
A. Audrey Flack, John Salt, Don Eddy and Daniel Tennant. Keep in mind that the best airbrush work will never let you see it.

What is ONE IMPORTANT piece of advice you can give to a new airbrush user?
A. Take a class. There are so many things and tricks that will make your experience better. The airbrush is not a particularly intuitive tool. (I know this because I had to teach myself and I can’t say I care to learn things that way) A good teacher will show you how to clean and maintain your brush. This will make your life much easier.

Fast facts about Kirk Lybecker

* He personally does the repairs on each airbrush that is sent in for repair. Fortunately there aren’t many, so he spends good quality time on those he does get.
* Although Anest Iwata in Japan tests every airbrush prior to delivery to Portland, Kirk personally inspects and re-tests every Iwata Custom Micron a second time prior to shipment to our customers. See for yourself!

* Kirk tests all new products prior to it going to market. You’ll often here him say “Ah a new toy for me to try?”
* He loves to golf almost as much as he loves to paint.
* Kirk’s wife is also an artist

Check out Kirk at www.lybeckerstudios.com or maybe call him here at the office!