For most, a career in the arts is further than just out of arm’s reach; it’s an inconceivable dream that even the sweetest sleep can’t create. Art is for the bourgeoise. It’s for the people who have the time to fail, who have their family for funding, and who have connections that can carry them further than talent ever could. For the ordinary person, being an artist is not an option.
That’s how the stereotype goes, at least. Kyle Blain wasn’t sure if he believed the common preconceptions when he left school and began his career as a painter. He still isn’t; all he knows is that if he didn’t try and get out there, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
Blain discovered his passion for art in school. His inspiration, however, was found in another artistic medium. The Beatles and Oasis- two bands that share a similar background to Blain- became his muses: “A lot of the music that my Mum and Dad listen to has carried into what I’m doing with my art,” Blain says, fluffing his modern mullet on the Zoom camera, very much matching the aesthetic of the music. Growing up on grassroots, working-class bands and loving their music was the launch pad for Blain’s career. Music was his first love, and it helped him discover his second.
Other than his musical influences, Van Gogh, other impressionists, and his Mum (who pursued her own self-employed career) have all greatly inspired Blain to pursue his career as an artist. Taking the lion’s share of inspiration, however, is Ross Muir, a Scottish born artist, who Blain recognised as his future self- rather, who he could be, if he took the plunge and became an artist. “He [Muir] is still around today, he’s from Glasgow. I relate a lot to him. He was a normal guy, just painting.”
“Usually, you see that a lot of people in this industry come from wealthy backgrounds,” elaborates Blain. “He just felt like a real guy doing paintings- it made me realise that this was something I could maybe do.”
Blain, however, faces restrictions Muir did not. From rural Clackmannanshire, Blain does not live in a place with a thriving art culture. Instead of flocking to the cities, however, Blain has decided to stick to his roots and do what he can for the people around him. This means showing the locals some local art. “When I did my exhibition in Tillicoultry, that was a big thing for me,” Blain admits, shrugging. “One of the main things I wanted to do was get into places and make art accessible.
“After my Tillicoultry exhibition, someone else done an exhibition there- another artist,” Blain adds, smiling a little with pride. “So, I’m hoping that someone else will do one after that and it will hopefully get bigger and bigger.”
To get the locals further into art, another thing Blain prioritises is affordability. He doesn’t want to price people out of ownership; he wants to share his craft with as many people as possible. “That’s why I keep my art at a reasonable price,” he continues. “My prints and stuff aren’t breaking the bank. I don’t want to be selling things just for the sake of making money.”
Exhibitions and sales aren’t the only methods Blain employs to make progress. Fuelled by a council grant, Blain is running mini-exhibitions and painting activities in local nurseries and schools. Most recently, Blain tells me he has been working with the opposite end of the age spectrum: “Right now, I’m doing a mural with some kids from Lornshill Academy for a local care home- the Orchard.”
The design is in Blain’s hands, but students will paint. Inspired by his recent ventures outside celebrity paintings, the residents chose an exotic bird theme. “It’s got a waterfall and stuff on it,” Blain bashfully explained. Discussing his art like this is new to him, he says, and he feels a little humbled.
However, it’s not all about the community for Blain. He likes his art to be even closer to home too. This means creating for his family. “I’m donating a big painting to the Forth Valley Hospital,” Blain says. “It’s in memory of my Grandad, who passed at the start of this year. He was in hospital for a long time, and he’d always joke about the amount of white walls and say ‘Oh, you should get your paintings up there’.
“I’ve got this big painting of a mother bear and three cubs, and that’s hopefully going up next week. It’s getting installed in the ward he was in. I’ve not told my Gran about it yet so it’ll be a nice surprise for her.”
Alongside his Gran’s surprise, there is her pride. Blain’s passion has taken him quite far. Since starting out, he has met his musical idol and muse, Paolo Nutini, gifted a painting to Dizzee Rascal, and was recognised outside a gig by Dylan John Thomas. In the tail end of 2025, he launched a calendar and had an exhibition at Loud and Proud, a music store in Leith, where all his music artwork was showcased.
Reflecting on his achievements and to round things off, I asked Blain if he had any advice for people considering pursuing a career in the arts: “I think it’s just about getting out there and actually doing things,” he answered. “I’ve never been overly chatty or the type of person who looks for attention. That doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m glad I’ve done it though.
“Just go for it. Honestly, just do it- post everything online. Try and make a name for yourself. Pursue it. Go all out.”
Feature Image Credit: Kyle Blain
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