Kreg Yingst

Music has played a pivotal role in my life since my youth. Even today I can hear a song that I haven’t heard in decades and remember the lyrics, as well as the emotions and memories associated with it from that particular time. As a narrative artist I enjoy researching the history of the blues, country, jazz, rock and Americana – finding those story gems that have been forgotten or overlooked. This musical influence can be seen in my work as it incorporates elements of poetry, portraiture, and genre through text, symbolism, and style. It was with purpose I created my small images the same size as a CD cover, the round images to resemble a 45 record, the mat and frame similar to a 78 album cover, and the medium sized prints scaled to resemble old music posters. The print bin creates the same recollection of browsing through albums in a record store. It’s been my intention to foster a nostalgia or retro-experience by referencing music memorabilia, while still making the art uniquely my own. Technique: All these original works are created from carved blocks of wood, linoleum, or vinyl, and printed onto paper, board, or wood using an obsolete Showcard proof press. The larger works are hand-burnished. Some of the images are printed multiple times to create colored layers, or in some instances, are individually hand-painted using watercolor.