About Me & About Pastels
Hello and welcome! I’m Kim, the artist behind the easel! Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.
I have always had a passion for art and a deep love of animals and nature. As a young girl, I would spend hours exploring nature or in my room drawing animals and studying all the instructional art books I could get my hands on. I desired to improve quickly and to learn as much as I could about creating art. I remain dedicated to that same mindset in my art practice today.
As an adult, I continue to enjoy nature and to surround myself with furry and finned creatures. I have raised and exhibited lop-eared rabbits and alpacas, kept sheep and horses, and maintained saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Currently, my family lives in Vermont, where we have two standard Poodles, two toy Poodles, several grand-dogs, and freshwater aquariums.
As one might guess, combining my love of animals and art has come naturally to me. I have found that one of the great joys of being a pet portrait artist is being able to collaborate with other pet owners and lovers. Creating a pet portrait can be a very personal journey, especially if the art is to commemorate a deceased pet. I strive to make this journey as meaningful and comfortable as it can be for the pet owner. I also work hard to bring out the unique individuality and personality of their pet in my artwork.
When I’m not painting, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets, playing mandolin, gardening, and knitting.
Please feel free to explore my website. If any artwork appeals to you, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait or another animal-themed piece, kindly fill out the form below, and I will respond promptly.
While you’re here, please sign up for my monthly email below! I do not send spam, just art studio updates and news. I’d love to have you join my community of art and pet lovers!
Sincerely,
Kim
What are Pastels?
Pastels are made of pure, vibrant pigment and a small amount of binder to form them. These are the same pigments used in oil paints and can be applied in a similar way with lighter color layers over darker ones. Pastels are different from chalkboard or sidewalk chalk which has calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate and a very small amount of pigment.
I use a combination of Pan Pastels (smoother pastel in cake form), pastel sticks, and pastel pencils (for the finer details). I also use a variety of special pastel tools to layer and create soft color blends, especially for animal fur.
When an artist uses blended and layered color all the way to the edges of the pastel paper, the piece is referred to as a painting. A pastel drawing or sketch focuses on lines and allows the paper to show through.
Caring for Your Pastel Painting
Pastels can last for centuries if properly cared for, as they do not discolor, fade, or crack like liquid paints. Avoid framing pastel paintings directly against the glass to prevent pigment transfer; professional framers use reverse beveled mats or spacers and 100% acid-free products to protect your artwork.
Don’t be alarmed if you see some pastel dust in the packaging upon arrival. This is normal with the shipping process and will not affect the quality of your painting. If shipping is required, I will ship your painting covered with a protective sheet of glassine paper. I suggest keeping the painting covered until it is to be framed for extra protection.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.