From Covers to Coco: My 2024 in Review!

As the years get busier and fly by faster, I am increasingly reliant on my calendar to jog my memory. I could never have predicted how exciting 2024 would be, and I am beyond grateful to have shared it with so many supporters, old and new. Here are the year’s highlights, broken down by month:

January

The year began with a bang as I unveiled my painting, A Swan in Palm Beach, which graced the cover of the 2024 Palm Beach Guide. This piece not only marked the start of 2024 but also set the tone for what would become one of my most transformative years yet, significantly strengthening the recognition of my work in Palm Beach.

In the same month, I sold Jackie in Palm Beach, the first painting in my series of Jackie Kennedy Onassis traveling the world through her iconic sunglasses. Another milestone came when I created my first-ever polo painting, On the Attack, during a fundraiser at the National Polo Center in Wellington. This experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the sport and has already helped create new opportunities in the equestrian community. 

February

February brought an exciting mix of events, starting with the Cancer Alliance’s Shop the Day Away Luncheon. My portrait of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was auctioned live to benefit cancer patients in Palm Beach County, and I had the incredible honor of meeting her afterward when she autographed the painting. It was a surreal and humbling moment I’ll never forget.

Later that month, I celebrated my birthday and, more importantly, my twelfth year of being self-employed. I also painted live at The Breakers Hotel during a luncheon benefitting the Melanoma Foundation, which featured a fashion show by Naeem Khan and Rucci Jewelry.

March

Hockey took center stage in March when I was commissioned by the Seattle Kraken to create a special gift honoring Jordan Eberle’s 1,000th NHL game. It was a dream come true to  be recognized by an NHL team and see my painting unveiled on the ice during the pregame ceremony. 

Later in the month, I painted live at the Cultural Council’s Muse Awards at The Hangar, one of the coolest event venues I have been to. My painting featured a chef’s hands garnishing a dish, which was sold during the silent auction to help support the non-profit’s initiatives in Palm Beach County. 

April

Just three months after creating my first polo painting, I was in the stands to witness the historic US Open Polo Finals at the National Polo Center. It was an unforgettable experience to watch Adolfo Cambiaso, the GOAT of polo, face off against his 18 year old son, Poroto. Witnessing Poroto’s victory was a reminder of the powerful stories and legacies that sports can tell. The finals, and the matches leading up to it, was captured in Neflix’s new series, Polo.

May

Although the polo season was over, I was more inspired than ever to paint the powerful subject. The last event of the Palm Beach “season” was an equine-themed group show at the Jennifer Balcos Gallery. I debuted a black-and-white piece called Power & Precision, which challenged viewers to interpret its unusual composition, and it was purchased by a dear collector of mine. 

June 

In June, I packed my bags for an unforgettable European adventure. It was my first time to Ireland, where I sampled Jameson Whiskey and Guinness beer from the source, played some of the world’s best golf courses, and flew in a helicopter for the first time! Amsterdam was the next stop, where I spent equal time eating the city’s traditional delicacies and admiring the gorgeous architecture on foot. The final leg of the trip was London, which I hadn’t visited since 2008. I enjoyed the perfect weather on my way to a variety of museums and galleries, and rewarded myself with, you guessed it, fish and chips!

July

July marked a significant moment as my painting of Rafael Nadal found a new home with a collector in California. This piece was especially meaningful since it originated during the confines of Covid, where I got out in the fresh air and learned to play tennis. With knowledge of the sport came a deep appreciation for its legends, and Rafa was the first player I decided to paint. The painting made the move with me to Florida in June 2021, and served as a reminder of how quickly, and unpredictably, life can change. 

August

August took me to the Hamptons for the first time to kick off the Historical Society of Palm Beach County’s grand exhibition Wish You Were Here. During the reception at the Wölffer Estates Vineyard, I was introduced as the exhibit’s Artist in Residence. I spent the rest of the month creating the cover painting for the show, which celebrates the history of Palm Beach County’s vibrant tourism industry.

September

After spending the second half of August in my studio, I was ready for a change of scenery and set off for Bardstown, KY. The small town is the “Bourbon Capital of the World” and hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, where I partnered with RD1 Spirits to finish two paintings live on-site. It was such an incredible experience to interact with hundreds of bourbon enthusiasts over the three day festival, and the paintings were raffled off to two lucky winners. 

October

October was the beginning of a six-week sprint to get ready for the Historical Society opening. In order to fill the courtroom with my work, I created new works tied to the theme of Palm Beach County tourism, including Jimmy Buffett, Coco Gauff, and a showjumping horse on a silk Hermés scarf. It was a welcomed challenge to push the boundaries of my ideas and painting techniques.

November

November 14 marked the opening night for the Historical Society’s grand exhibition, Wish You Were Here. Almost 400 supporters attended the sold-out event, and as the Artist in Residence, I was thrilled to finally share my latest work. My horse painting on a bright orange Hermés scarf, The Stirrup Collection, stole the show, and sold within minutes of the doors opening!

That feeling of elation was extended when I received a message from Coco Gauff asking to purchase my painting of her winning the US Open. We met in downtown Delray Beach to exchange the painting, and the story set off a wave of media coverage that I’m incredibly grateful for.

December

This December has been a whirlwind of holiday orders and meaningful connections. As the Coco story continued to spread, Tony Robbins unexpectedly shared my painting Burn the Boats on his social media. It helped amplify the story behind the piece for millions of followers, and the gesture meant so much to me and my confidence as an artist. It was a perfect way to close out a year full of growth and gratitude!

Thank you to everyone who has supported my work this year! I wouldn’t be able to do it without the encouragement, feedback, and inspiration you provide, and this journey is only worthwhile because I have such caring people to share it with. Here’s to an even more exciting 2025!

Sincerely,
Kyle