Artist Statement

I have a varied catalogue of available workshops, ranging from puppet making, self-portraits, using words as art, graphic design, colour theory, art technique fundamentals, media exploration, art history, working with wire and 3-dimensional objects, and so much more! I like to tailor my workshops to each school so that I am able to tie in with the curriculum. My primary focus is on the process of creating art. Problem-solving, lateral thinking, observation and learning new skills, taking into account the abilities of different age groups. I love workshops that run for a few weeks so there is an opportunity to develop an idea through different stages. As an example, a self-portrait workshop would be a one day session. The goal would be observation. For primary age groups, the hand-eye skills are developed as well as the ability to discern simple shapes from the objects around us. For secondary school age groups, the focus would be on portraying our personalities as well as our physical features, through colour, line and facial expression. An art history workshop would tie in with the period currently studied in the curriculum. Historical events are juxtaposed with art from the period, giving relevance and deeper understanding. A puppet workshop would run for 5 weeks or longer and the kind of puppets made would correspond with the age group. Shadow puppets for Kindergarten to develop scissor skills and story telling. Older grades will create stick puppets, marionettes, etc. Secondary focus is on using recycled and repurposed materials.

Biography

Hi, I’m Kim! I create commissioned illustrations, hand lettering, and paintings. I’ve worked as a sign-painter and lettering artist, with interior designers, producing home decor pieces and murals. I’ve also worked as a scenic artist where clients included Disney, Holt Renfrew, the Calgary Zoo, and Broadway shows such as Wicked and the Lion King. I've done numerous art residencies in schools, working with students of all ages and abilities. When I’m not working on commissions, I can be found playing with found objects, wire, and beeswax, sewing puppets, or digging in my garden.