early art training was at Berkeley Heights Elementary School in Berkeley Heights, N.J. There she explored collage and potato printing, finger paint – according to her mother – not yet having been invented. Despite her evident enthusiasm and talent, Kim’s scholastic art training ended after sixth grade.
She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1968.
Subsequently, Kim acquired teaching credentials, a law degree, and a certificate in landscape gardening. She began a landscape design business in Washington, D.C. in 1991.
Thinking that more formal art training might enhance her landscape presentations, Kim enrolled at the Art League where she learned the basics of oil painting in Rob Liberace’s portrait class.
Kim has continued her art education with renowned painters David Leffel and Walt Bartman.
In Washington she participates in classes and workshops at the Yellow Barn and the Art League, and in Maine she has studied at the Round Top Center for the Arts. She also paints with artist friends in Washington, in Maine, and in Europe.
Most of Kim’s paintings are of people -- not necessarily portraits, but, rather, of people involved in their work or caught in a moment of their lives. The Dutch call these character pictures tronies. Some of her landscapes and still lives share this sense of story, too.
Kim is inspired by Winston Churchill, who famously took up painting later in life. When discouraged, she remembers his admonition: “(T)he first quality needed is Audacity. There really is no time for the deliberate approach…. We may content ourselves with a joy ride in a paint box.” |
