KIM CHRISTOPHER ART - PONDS OF GOLD

I’m so excited to finally share this with you guys! As I mentioned last month when sharing my favorite Black-owned businesses, influencers and artists, I hired local artist Kim Christopher to paint a piece for my house. I first met her and was introduced to her gorgeous paintings at The Other Art fair last September! While she works with all kinds of colors, I particularly love her more neutral pieces with gold leaf details – the texture is beyond (see below for some unedited photos and close-ups! These show the detail and color more accurately!). Since I’m going for a more neutral space overall, I asked for a mix of white, beige, grey and of course, gold! I’m SO thrilled with how it turned out, and truly think this painting will look stellar anywhere I decide to hang it in the future. It’s very me and I know I will have it forever!

  • KIM CHRISTOPHER | DALLAS ARTIST
  • KIM CHRISTOPHER | DALLAS ARTIST

Kim was also so easy and fun to work with! I told her my budget, the size of the space and what I was hoping for, and she gave me several options I could go with along with her specific suggestions. She provided me with a few different mock-ups and updated me each step of the way with photos! I’m not an art expert by any means, so I also appreciated her professional opinion on sizing, whether or not to frame the piece, etc. Once the painting was finalized and framed, Kim brought it over to my house for the big reveal! It was lovely getting to chat more in person, since we’d only met face-to-face that one time at the Other Art Fair. She’s just wonderful, and as you can see, so are her pieces!

KIM CHRISTOPHER ART GIVEAWAY – NOW CLOSED!

  • KIM CHRISTOPHER | DALLAS ARTIST
  • KIM CHRISTOPHER | DALLAS ARTIST

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED – CONGRATS TO @MORGANN_JAE FOR WINNING THE PAINTING, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE GIVEAWAY! In addition to buying a painting for myself, I commissioned Kim to create a smaller version (20 x 20) of my painting to give away to one of you! I thought this would be a fun additional way to support a local Black artist I admire, as well as thank you all for following along and being so supportive over the years. See below for the details on how to enter the giveaway – it is super easy!

HOW TO ENTER:

  1. Follow @KimChristopherArt on Instagram
  2. Comment on this blog post with your Instagram handle

The winner will be chosen by a random number generator based on the order of your submitted blog comments. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram. Deadline to enter this giveaway is 11:59pm central time on Sunday, August, 9th, 2020. Winner will receive a message on Instagram and this post will be updated with the winner’s name on Monday, August 10th, 2020!

KIM CHRISTOPHER ARTIST

ABOUT KIM

In addition to sharing Kim’s beautiful paintings, I thought it would be fun to do an interview with her to share more about her background, how she got into painting, what inspires her and more. I hope you enjoy learning more about her as much as I did!

MERRITT: Were you born and raised in Dallas? If not, where?

KIM: I was born and raised in the Dallas area of Richardson.

MERRITT: Born and raised! At what age did you realize you had a talent for painting?

KIM: I always loved to draw as a child – it was like meditation for me. I would draw colorful sketches and write positive affirmations to go along with them! In 2010 I started painting as a hobby. It wasn’t until 2017 after requests from friends and family for paintings that I realized my passion for painting.

MERRITT: I’m shocked that was only three years ago! I saw on Instagram that you partake in artist workshops around the country – they look like so much fun! Did you study art in school?

KIM: I love taking workshops and learning new techniques! It helps me grow as an artist. I am a self-taught artist, and didn’t study art in school Painting is a passion that turned into a business for me!

MERRITT: That’s awesome. Are you a full-time artist?

KIM: I am a part-time artist – I’m also a hairstylist, which is what I do full time.

MERRITT: I had no idea! Considering you are skilled with your hands with painting it’s not surprising you’d also be great at hair. Your paintings are absolutely gorgeous and I can see why that’s your focus! Are there any other art forms (sculptures, portraits, etc) you like to dabble in just for fun or on the side?

KIM: Right now I put all of my artistic energy into my paintings. I would love to learn how to make planter pots in the future!

MERRITT: Oh, I would love to see that! I don’t have a green thumb, but a pretty planter might make me more attentive. What would you say most inspires your work? How have your pieces changed/evolved over the years?

KIM: What inspires my work is my love for architecture, structures and surfaces that bear the traces of time. My favorite are distressed walls. The layering of aging has been so fascinating to me since I was a child!

I feel my art really evolved after going through a difficult divorce. Pouring my heart and soul into my art and pushing through those moments of healing helped me discover my own style. I now paint from the heart with purpose. Art is healing and my hope is that my paintings will brighten someone’s day, space or help inspire someone. Some of my pieces actually come with a positive poem or quote.

MERRITT: I love that! Would you say most of your paintings you do on a commission basis? Or do you sell a lot through your own website or other sites/art dealers?

KIM: Most of my paintings are on a commission basis. I love working one-on-one with collectors to make their vision for their space come alive. I also have paintings with SaatchiArt.com and I’m in the process of working with a gallery!

MERRITT: That’s so exciting! Can’t wait to hear more about that. What are your favorite parts about working for yourself? The most challenging parts?

KIM: My favorite part about working for myself is being my own boss. I love the freedom to run my own business based off of my vision. The most challenging part is staying on task! It can be difficult when you have so many ideas and not enough time.

MERRITT: I hear you there! I’m the same way. It was fun getting to meet you and check out your pieces at The Other Art Fair last fall. Do you participate in other events/art shows like that in Dallas (or elsewhere)?

KIM: The Other Art Fair is currently the only art show I participate in, but I’m looking to enter more in the future.

MERRITT: 2020 has been a bit of a crazy year so far! What are you most looking forward to over the next few months (or in 2021)?

KIM: I think we are all looking forward to a new year. 2020 has been tough on everyone. I’m looking forward to entering more art shows and connecting people in a social hopefully in 2021!

A big thank you again to Kim for being such a joy to work with and for taking the time to answer my questions! I absolutely love the piece she made for me. Be sure to check out and shop new pieces on her website at KimChristopher.com, follow her on Instagram at @KimChristopherArt and email her here if you’re wanting something custom for your space!