Kyle Sims was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Obsessed with depicting the natural environment around him, at age 16 he began taking workshops, enabling him to meet Dan Smith and Paco and Toni Young, who nurtured his development. Paco encouraged Sims to paint from life, influencing Sims’ work immensely. At age 18 he went to college in Billings, Montana, where he received his bachelor’s degree in art.
At his first Prix de West in 2009, Sims was awarded the Major General and Mrs. Don. D. Pittman Wildlife Award. In 2005, he was awarded the Wildlife Award at the former Arts for the Parks competition. During that same time, he received the Distinguished Young Artist Award from the Society of Animal Artists. In 2021 he received the Judge’s Award of Excellence at the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale.
Every year, Sims’ tastes in painting and art continue to evolve. “The best part,” he said, “is getting out and observing wildlife firsthand.” He travels the West to observe, sketch and photograph animals to bring them to life on canvas.
