Conversations with the Inspiring Kimberly Klein

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Klein.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kimberly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My daughter has always been a perfectionist. She didn’t ride a bike until she knew she could. She didn’t read or write until she could do it well enough to suit her. Same thing with swimming, gymnastics, cheerleading and on and on. When she was eight, we were talking about how things don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful or worthwhile. That *we* don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful or worthwhile. At one point, my daughter asked me why I didn’t sell some of my artwork and I said, “naw, it’s not good enough.” She just gave me a look. You know that look, the one that says “mom, seriously?”

I started by sharing my more whimsical art as it was easy and it was fun. Little T-rex with tiny accessories to make them look like a fisherman, a bowler, a ballerina, and the like. Photos of Dinosaurs riding bikes? Who wouldn’t think that’s silly and cute. It was safe.

In this past year, I have found myself drawn to creating a more serious kind of art. It has been a way for me to process emotions and feelings (BIG feelings) around social issues. I began to take things that I found at garage sales, thrift stores, salvage yards, and even discarded items straight of the street and putting them together to tell a story. I have always been drawn to taking something and finding a way to upcycle or repurpose it to create something different and give it a new life. As I created more and more pieces in this style, I really uncovered my passion for assemblage art. I love the way it takes discarded materials and gives them meaning and purpose. The pieces aren’t perfect but they are worthwhile and, to me, they are a beautiful way to express things I cannot eloquently put into words.

When people ask me what I do, I often tell them that I am a maker of tiny people and weird things. I am eclectic, I am awkward, and I am an artist.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would definitely say it has not been a smooth road for me. Since I was young, I had this voice in my head that said I couldn’t do it, it wasn’t good enough, that *I* wasn’t good enough despite people telling me quite the opposite. I always felt like I was fooling people and that they were going to find out. I’ve since learned it’s a real thing called Imposter Syndrome and I know a lot of people who also feel this way. Mostly women, although not all. I look at my three kids and I know that I absolutely do not want them to ever feel this way so I push on and ignore the voice in my head. My advice for other women, especially young women, is to not wait for that little eight years old to give you a look before you realize that you can do it, you are good enough, and what you do may not be perfect but it is worthwhile because YOU are worthwhile.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m kind of known as the dino and doll head lady because of the whimsical art that I do. I like that people from different backgrounds and different ages can all find something to relate to in my dinosaurs (and maybe a fewer number are drawn to my doll head creations… it’s not everyone’s cup of tea). I like that I can make people smile and maybe even get a laugh or two. Art doesn’t always have to be serious or “gallery-worthy.”

I would like to someday be known for my social activism assemblage pieces. Not necessarily for my own recognition but because I want the pieces out there for people to think about. I want people to talk about social issues like gun violence, drug abuse, racial inequities, and blatant racism.

I like creating art on both ends of the spectrum; from light and whimsical to dark and thought-provoking. It’s very representational of me and how I interact with the world and allows for my eclectic (and awkward!) nature to shine through.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
About five years ago, I felt the urge to paint. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in 30 years so I thought I’d take a class. I looked around and found a class for abstracts called “loosen up your painting.” At the time, abstract was so outside my comfort zone but I thought I’d give it a try. The instructor, Colleen Tucker, was really great at getting me to relax and embrace my “less than perfect” nature and even put it on a canvas. Colleen and I still keep in touch and she has been a wonderful mentor and a great champion of mine, especially with my new assemblage work.

For those wanting to “be an artist” I recommend taking a class in your community. You will meet people who can mentor you and help you navigate the local “art scene” as each community is different. For anyone, from the seasoned to the newbie, I recommend going outside your comfort zone and trying something new. Don’t define yourself by just one thing. Be open to change, whether that be a change of your focus or change of the image you have of yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: kimberlykleinart.com
• Phone: 720-299-4209
• Email: kimberlykleinart@gmail.com
• Instagram: kimberlykleinart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyKleinArt/

Image Credit:
Kimberly Klein

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