Meet Kyle Confehr: Mural Artist and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Confehr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Someone told me once; “Any time you put a piece of artwork on the wall, there’s a 50% chance it will sell and there’s a 50% chance it won’t.” That comment was specific to hanging work in a gallery setting at the time but I think it holds true for most creators. We’re taking a risk every time we put a piece out there and try to sell it. Someone will dig it and someone won’t. When I look at the choices I’ve made in my career through that lense it keeps me humble and it also makes me think; “wow, I’ve got a lot more work to make.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m proud of being able to survive as an artist. But I’m not by any means a success. I’m just fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time and having some solid connections.

My art is a calculated expression of my self-consciousness but it’s not precious. Which is a fancy way of saying; I tend to draw whatever’s cropped up in my head. Most of my influence comes from growing up on the east coast on a skateboard and playing music. I draw stylistic inspiration from 80/90’s NYC graffiti and skateboard culture. I’m obsessed with creating work in the fastest and most effective way. The methods used by a lot of graffiti writers are how I learned to scale my work from pen and paper to walls and larger installations.

The biggest challenges I’ve had along the way have been figuring out my mental health, how to nurture that and sobering up after years of being an alcoholic.

I think I just want people to know that I do my art out of compulsivity. The longer I’ve done it, the more it’s become a practice or a discipline. But at the end of the day, it’s all me. Even the commissioned work is all me. I kind of act as a lense for other people’s ideas and I’m totally fine with that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Old city is a fun time capsule of the city to peruse, stop for coffee, find some weird shops, wander. You can also check out the water front from there which is fun to check out.

West Philly has got unreal Ethiopian food which would have to happen. Late night cocktails and grub would happen at Abyssinia (Fiume) or Dahlak.

Walking around South Philly is also a must. Drinks at Bok Bar, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, and Hop Sing Laundromat (Chinatown speakeasy, not South Philly, I know). These are all necessary for atmosphere and the experience. Walking around South Street is also incredible for people watching and food. You have to have slice from Lorenzo’s, a cheesesteak from Jim’s and a bowl of Ramen from Neighborhood Ramen.

Manyunk is another fun place to check out for the same reason. But different kind of people watching. Right next to Manyunk is the Wissahickon trail which connects to Kelly drive which is a gorgeous walk.

Places to check out would be; show at Union Transfer, Mutter Museum, Barnes Foundation, some kind of performance at the Kimmel Center (preferably the Perelman.) A show at the Mann Center would be dope as well. I would suggest going to the Navy Yard but I’m terrified of boats.

Last but not least, would be Tattooed Mom. It’s my favorite bar in Philadelphia. I realize I’ve listed off a ton of places to imbibe in alcohol (even though I wouldn’t be drinking) but Tattooed Mom is a staple in the Philly community and you always run into someone you know there. Their food is amazing and the atmosphere is an experience that just can’t be spelled out. You have to experience it for yourself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents. My parents weren’t really artistic or creative in that way but they saw my obsession with art and they made sure it was accessible to me. They helped get me afterschool tutors so I could learn how to paint and draw at a professional level. What left the most impact on me was their level of patience.

Website: https://www.confehrstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_confehr/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleconfehr/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kconfehr

Image Credits
Joseph Echavarria 2017