Meet Kim Walker of Kim Walker Art in Northwest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Walker.

Kim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have loved creating art in many forms throughout my entire life. I guess you could say though, my journey to my professional art career started in 1989. My son was a child prodigy and to facilitate his needs he attended college in addition to attending grade school. It occurred to me that I too should start on a path to a degree rather than just waiting outside Robby’s college classrooms. He and I took many required classes together and it was a very unique and fun and fulfilling experience.

Robby ended up with a Ph.D. in Computer Science as well as a Math degree from ASU in 1999, at the time becoming their youngest graduate. (not sure if that has changed since that time) Robby started two companies, one acquired by Google and one acquired by Apple. And in the midst of family being my top priority, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from ASU in 2001. During my degree program, I learned many processes, but I knew all along that I wanted to find “my own voice” in my artwork. In the beginning of 2000 I was taking solitary, long walks almost daily in an attempt to assuage the overwhelming grief I was experiencing over the sudden and untimely death of my mother.

One day while resting on a mountain trail a breeze wrapped around me and it felt like a hug. I looked up and felt intense connections with many people. Those connections touched me physically as the sun warmed me well beyond the surface of my skin. The spiritual connections were with both those who were present in my life at that time and with those whose physical presence was no longer. I cherish these connections to this day. Although I always enjoyed being in nature, it became, even more, crystal clear that nature can touch each of our lives in profound and unlimited ways. We are all warmed by the same sun and held by the same gravity.

We can all experience the healing, the beauty, the hope, and the inspiration from nature if even just by looking out a window or enjoying the scent or softness of a flower petal.

That day I knew that nature needed to become the most important aspect of my art. I stopped many times on my walk home and picked up random botanic elements not knowing how, but still knowing these elements would become part of my art. I have developed my own unique processes of inclusion of actual botanicals in my art over the last 18 years and I continue making new discoveries each day in my studio. I also write original poetry for each painting to further express my reverent gratitude for the gifts of nature.

ARTIST STATEMENT:
When you look at my artwork, please realize you are looking at not only paint but also actual botanic elements from nature. My mixed media paintings are intended to be a reverent reflection of the beauty, inspiration and metaphoric lessons that nature reveals.

I collect and press natural elements. A few examples are leaves and flower petals and ferns. When dried, I incorporate these elements in my compositions. I write one of my original poems on the back of each piece as a further expression of my gratitude for these amazing gifts.

For the last eighteen years, my art is represented by various galleries and it is also shown in numerous juried art competitions and invitational installations. It is part of private, corporate, and municipal collections in the United States and abroad.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have had incredible support from my family throughout my journey. Personally, I always try to remain positive and grateful to have the opportunity to create my art almost every day. It is a great passion and meditation and stress release. Life has it’s struggling and being an artist as a career has its own unique bumps in the road. Getting better at marketing and social media are challenges for me. I would much rather create my art than promote my art. I also learned a long time ago that when seeking gallery representation or getting into juried shows I needed to park my ego at the curb.

Sometimes things work out the way I hope they will and other times they don’t but I can see more and more as the years go by that there is value in all of that. I want all of my artistic endeavors to be with those who are interested in a win-win scenario based on mutual respect and dedication to art in its many forms. So, the short answer is yes there have been some bumps in the road but I love this journey and look forward to many more adventures.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kim Walker Art story. Tell us more about the business.
The things that set me apart most from others is that although I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and I am grateful for the incredible instruction and inspiration I got at ASU, I did not learn my unique processes during my art education. It is a continuous journey as I am still learning new ways to create my art and I also love trying new things. I am a painter but perhaps more specialized in expressing beauty from sources that already exist before I even begin. I had no idea how I would find my way when I realized I wanted actual elements from nature included in my art. I didn’t want to paint images of nature, I wanted the actual elements of nature to be the most important aspect and visual in my art.

The metaphors, lessons, and inspiration from nature are an integral part of my art as well. I had no idea initially that I would end up writing original poetry for each composition. It took on a life of its own and I feel that the art and the poetry go hand in hand. I am the sole proprietor of my business but behind the scenes, I am very fortunate that my husband builds my supports and some custom frames for me. I can fully trust the integrity of what he provides and I really like him being a part of my art.

My husband and my son have helped me tremendously with the technical aspects of my business including help with my website, database, promotional materials, social media, etc. My entire family has been there for me with logistics like transporting art to and from shows or galleries and they are often present at my art openings even after all these years. Their love and support is a huge part of the success of Kim Walker Art.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m not totally sure where the art industry is going. I have seen many changes throughout the years. I just do what I do and try not to get too concerned about trends etc. I like trying new things so I do that whether or not the industry shifts. I have, for example, only in recent years, started making more 3-d art in addition to my wall art. It’s been very exciting and also a great challenge to figure out how to use my unique processes in new ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: kimwalkerart.com
• Phone: 602-550-1987
• Email: kim@kimwalkerart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimwalkerart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimwalkerart/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/k1_kim
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-walker-99834416/

Image Credit:
Jason Grubb, Camerawerks, Kim Walker, Rob Walker

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