We were lucky to catch up with Kim Trickey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I always loved drawing! As a young child I drew often.-always animals and most often horses. I was totally a horse crazy girl! My father was a cattle rancher and a veterinarian so I had ready access to my own horses and a wide variety of animals.
The first time I consciously remember wanting to be an artist as a profession was at about 9 years of age. I had painted a watercolor picture of “Bambi” on a white dress box top! My mother entered it into the county fair and I won a blue ribbon and $3! I was hooked!
Kim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I decided to major in Fine Art at college -against my fathers wishes!. He wanted me to be a teacher. I pursued and completed a BFA degree in studio art with a minor in Art History. I was married before I graduated and also had my first child. I paid all the hospital and doctor costs with my artwork sales!
We moved to a remote ranch in the Prescott, Az area and I began painting and drawing from home. My first commissioned work was of some ranch scenes for the Annual Cattleman’s Weekend Bull Sale in Prescott. My work was received very well and I was encouraged by receiving a few new commissions also.
I began entering some local art shows such as the George Phippen show over Memorial Day weekend on the Prescott courthouse plaza. I was awarded several ribbons and sold most of my pieces there -which was a big boost to my confidence and budget!!!
I joined the “Thunderbird “ artist group and began showing with them at assorted shows in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona area. These shows required a lot of travel on my part, and juggling two little children and ranch responsibilities became a pretty big job.
After a move to a large ranch outside of Springerville Az, I began doing more commission work and fewer shows. I picked up a wonderful annual show in Gallup,NM with a small group of great western artists. This show became one of my favorites as it was closer to home and drew a great crowd of art buyers during the annual Tribal Indian pow wow gathering.
I continued painting from my own ranch studio while raising four wonderful children and helping my husband with all the ranch work and riding. I always kept my love of horses and ride constantly to this day.
One of my favorite memories is of being invited to paint a Christmas ornament for the White House Christmas tree! I painted a 6” bobble with scenes from my State and district. We were invited to an opening reception at the White House with a beautiful dinner served and were able to meet presidents wife and tour the White House.
My pictures have been on the covers of many western magazines and our ranch was featured in the “Western Horseman” magazine.
I continue to paint from home and help my husband on our own smaller ranch now. My four children are grown with children of their own now, but continue to help us on the ranch. My love for horses and art has never diminished! I’ve also taught art classes at the local community college for many years and was a High School Art teacher for 7 years.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being independent and in control of my own time. While it’s a challenge to make that work financially, it has given me the freedom to be a creative person and also to raise a family which is very important to me. I love riding and working on the ranch, and that has given me thousands of opportunities to take photos and observe all the things I love to paint.
For a few years (7) after we left the big ranch my husband managed for 32 years, I took a teaching job to make ends meet and keep us on insurance. Teaching High School art was a challenge I absolutely loved!! Hard work, long hours, and extra education classes kept me extremely busy! I rarely had time to do my own artwork!
I eventually decided the security and steady income weren’t worth the cost to my art career and my time with my husband on the ranch. I’m back to full time artist/rancher and grandma to sixteen grandchildren!!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have always had a compulsion to draw and paint. As I grew up and matured this became a desire to illustrate my life and a lifestyle that many don’t have the opportunity to experience first hand. I want to create art that gives people the opportunity to look inside the life and passion and hard work of the American West and family farms and ranches.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Kimtrickey.com (under construction)
- Instagram: @Kim Trickey Art. @ TrickeyRanch
- Facebook: Kim Trickey