Kimmy ;Donald is a self-taught, emerging abstract artist. She lives on the south side of Atlanta. After teaching History to high schoolers for many years, she transitioned to teaching Art to young children. She has always been artistic and crafty; gift passed down from her grandparents and great-grandparents. She had a huge life shift in 2017 and decided to start creating for her own healing. She started working in wood crafts and that work metamorphosed into mixed media Art over the last few years. She has worked in multiple mediums using different types of substrates. She has been included in multiple juried Art Shows in Georgia. She is a part of several different Art making communities on-line and in-person.
Statement
The Art
Although I have worked in different types of Art mediums. I most enjoy pushing the limits of Acrylic and Acrylic mediums. The historian in me makes an adventure out of every painting. I collect old, vintage materials and incorporate them into my paintings using art mediums. I am inspired by the world around me. The textures and colors of nature set heavy in my soul. I am amazed by what we humans choose to keep and throw away. I am always awestruck how nature keeps our discards for a time and then throws them out in the wind and rain.
The Process
The work starts with hours of play in my Art Room. I work on several panels at a time. The adventure part of the process begins with a scavenger hunt in the ART room to find the right tools to create the pieces. Tools could be old toys, lids, mesh, antique metal, kitchen accessories, anything goes. Layering paint to create the right color combinations that highlight the textures is key. The final step is to mesh pieces of found materials and the painting together into one harmonious piece. This part of the process may take days or weeks to complete. The end results are risky and unpredictable. An incredible story is weaved on as the piece comes together.
Statement
“I love the adventure of the abstract art process. The unpredictability of where it may go is the most exciting part for me. There is a point where you lose control over what is happening in the painting. The diversity of tools create the texture. The textures build and build and create the story. The added materials clarify parts of the painting and leave other areas mysterious. When the painting harmonizes with the objects into one cohesive piece it’s like magic.” - Kimmy ;Donald