Organic shapes in inspiring colors characterize New York-based artist Kimmie B's work. Bold and graphic with a certain softness; the perfect balance between negative and positive space. All in a state-of-mind color palette, pulling from moments and memories in the artist's life.

Name:

Kimmie B

Location: 

New York City

Medium:

Illustration

Where do you live? What is your day-to-day like?

New York, My day to day consists of working 9-5pm. I often create and brainstorm on the train to work and later in the evening. It helps me unwind. Other hobbies include outdoor exercise, painting, gardening, activities with my dog, and surfing. I live close to the beach and try to see the ocean every day.

How did you get started making art?

I started very young. My sister and I are 18 months apart so naturally any hobby she expressed interest in, my parents would sign me up as well because we were so close in age. We started going to private classes after school with our schools art teacher and I never stopped. I’ll never forget when I started learning the principles of 2D design, color, shape, line and form, I started having very vivid dreams in 3rd grade of abstract shapes and compositions. 

What is your medium and your process? What tools do you use? 

I typically work in many mediums, pencil, pen, marker and paint. This series is made digitally although I sketched in advance. 

Who are your artistic influences?

With color: Mattisse, Paul Gaugin, David Hockney, James Ensor, Josef and Annie Albers, Stella, Rothko; For composition I really look at more contemporary artists often sculptors such as Andrew Zimmerman.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My shapes and composition are more of an intuitive creation, comes naturally almost guttural. . My inspiration drives my hues. Colors in nature with a specific time in space in mind like a previous trip or vacation, and accessories for example my new favorite sweater or nail polish. I love opaque colors and sharp edges, so any type of object might be an influence. I love them all new, funky, or retro objects.

What do you love the most about being an artist? 

Meeting and connecting with other artists and also I think by practicing art you live a sort of higher level of self-awareness. You question your work, how it’s a reflection of your mission, your being, and how it may make others feel in a way that words cannot pinpoint. It could be something simple and fun or on a deeper level, but at both it is a way to live in the present. 

Do you have a signature color or palette?

I will always be a lover of the classic primary colors and neutrals. Currently I really enjoy a dusty pastel and a jewel tone. So really all over the spectrum of hues!

What are your favorite pieces in the series you are launching on ArtStar? 

Caribbean at Dusk and Warm Shadow – they are my favorite colors right now. 

Tell us about the work launching on ArtStar - What does it mean to you?

I have a little notebook I ‘doodle’ in and at one point I started taking them more seriously when I started added more variations of color. It’s interesting of the color brings such a different mood to each shape. They’re not as interchangeable as you think, one in red may not work in another shape as red. Then I brought them from the paper to the computer. I actually work a lot faster this way because you can save and undo and go back, so it’s not as final as a sketch on a page which makes me work more organically.

What do you hope to accomplish with your art? How do you want people to feel when they see it?

I hope that the viewer enjoys the shapes and color combos and, in a way, makes them feel creative and artistic themselves by pairing them up or including them in a trio of works. Mixing and matching for your spaces needs.