We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly Eitland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Picture the sterotypical image of an artist. Covered head to toe in flecks and specks of paint in a choatic pattern of bright colors strewn about them. Add in some glitter and random paint brushes and pencils sticking out from the messy blonde bun atop the artist’s head and you have me on a daily basis. My art is a chaos train and I am the conductor.

Art is like a wild rollercoaster ride, but instead of a serene train journey through the English countryside, it’s more like a chaotic party train with the conductor’s brain acting like a pack of squirrels on a wild night out in Ibiza!

As an artist, I’ve faced a challenge with social media and art marketing, and the unrealistic expectations they create. Managing social media and marketing one’s art is a demanding task, almost like a full-time job. This doesn’t even consider the time required for creating art itself. Additionally, the mental burden of constantly worrying about views and likes can be overwhelming for artists. Is it possible for an artist to thrive without a massive following or online engagement? The answer is yes. While social media can boost an artist’s visibility and art sales, it’s not the ultimate factor. An artist’s talent and value are not defined by their success on social media.

Social media often triggers self-doubt among artists, leading them to compare not just their art but also their lives to those of other artists. What we tend to overlook is that social media itself is a form of artwork – meticulously crafted to portray a specific image to viewers. Despite my repeated efforts to remind myself and fellow artists of this fact, a lingering seed of self-doubt remains deeply rooted in my heart, proving to be an unforeseen challenge on my creative path.

Self doubt fuels my artistic anxiety. I would be lying if I said I didn’t battle this demon on the regular. Often, I stand mid battlefield paint brush in the air, loose canvas flapping in the wind, victor to my negative self talk. Othertimes, I can be found hiding in my blanket fort of insecurities.

In a recent escapade, picture this: I had to showcase two artworks in a grand art exhibition. The night before the big reveal, I was still prepping and framing one piece, with no clue about the second artwork. I embody chaos – chaos that stems from my own procrastination, but chaos nonetheless.

While examining my first art piece, a sizable pen and ink illustration, I felt it lacked a certain element. I was inspired by something I saw on social media and opted to incorporate watercolor into my drawing. Although my instincts advised against it, I decided to take a risk and go for it.

I should not have went for it. I made a colossal blunder and wrecked my artwork. I felt like I was starring in my own tragic comedy as an artist. The next day, faced with getting my creations to the exhibit, I almost threw in the towel. Instead, I snatched two forgotten pieces, doubting anyone would fancy them due to social media having a chilly response to them when I had initially posted them. At this point, I did not have time to entertain my insecurities. I framed them and ran to my car.

My artwork was displayed at the exhibition on a Saturday, and by the following Monday, I got a text from the curator informing me that one of my pieces had been sold, with another potential buyer interested in the same piece. Thankfully, giclee prints came to the rescue. Later, my second painting was also sold, the one I had doubted the most. While internally doing somersaults of joy, I realized a crucial lesson: Comparison might steal joy, but self-doubt can deprive an artist of their full potential.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a contemporary expressionist, my artistic approach focuses on capturing subjective emotions and reactions rather than objective reality. Inspired by Edvard Munch, who once stated, “No longer shall I paint interiors with men reading and women knitting, I will paint living people who breathe and feel and suffer and love,” I aim to convey the depth of human experiences in my work.

Each of my art pieces contains elements that resonate with the viewer’s past or present experiences. My goal is for my art to convey emotions that words alone cannot capture, providing comfort and insight to viewers, reassuring them that they are not alone in their thoughts and emotions.

Whether it’s the subtle play of light and shadow, the intricate patterns woven into the fabric of the canvas, or the vibrant colors that evoke a sense of warmth and hope, I thoughtfully craft every detail to speak directly to the heart.

I draw inspiration from the complexities of human emotion, the struggles and triumphs that shape our lives, and the universal quest for understanding and connection. By doing so, I hope to create a sanctuary within my art, a place where people can find solace, reflect on their own stories, and perhaps gain new perspectives on their healing path. Through this visual dialogue, my art becomes a bridge, linking souls and fostering a shared sense of empathy and compassion.

In my art practice, I mainly use a combination of mediums. My creations involve acrylic and oil paintings, graphite sketches, charcoal work, pen and ink illustrations, and photography. Occasionally, I dabble in watercolor and pastels as well. A significant portion of my art focuses on portraiture because I am intrigued by how human appearances can convey narratives to viewers. What’s truly fascinating is that each observer interprets a different story based on their personal experiences. I take pleasure in enabling this diverse interpretation. I particularly enjoy crafting characters that provoke viewers to pause and wonder, “What’s happening here?”

My journey with art has been a whimsical road trip. I never quite saw myself as an artist and still struggle with the title. It often felt like I was a child playing make-believe. Even now, this feeling creeps up on me.
Back in the day, I dabbled in drawing and painting without making big waves. Sometimes, I’d create something cool, shrug, and move on.

Art in high school wasn’t on my radar until I was tossed into an advanced drawing class last minute. What I had thought been a mistep in my academic career turned into a defining moment of my life. That day opened a door to a lifelong friendship with my art teacher and a new chapter in my life. My art teacher unknowingly rescued me, giving me the tools to express myself and find my way.
After school, I veered off the art path multiple times, but art always called me back. I denied myself for years, but now I see it’s my true calling, my passion, my reason for being.

I yearn not to blend into an aesthetic but to be revered for the visual tales I weave.

My art is a mix of media and subject matter. Creating portraits and illustrating characters brings me the most joy.

I create these pieces using a variety of media: photography, pen and ink, acrylics, oil paints, pastels, and watercolors to name a few. I am always trying new methods and techniques. Learning is part of the art process.

Photography is also one of my artistic endeavors. I specialize in car photography and horses. This is due to my background and love of sports cars. I enjoy horseback riding in my spare time and have horses of my own.

Aside from portraits, my subject matter varies from the sweet to the macabre and creepy cute niches.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson that I learned as an artist was to produce art that resonates with the audience, such as following current trends and focusing on popular subject matter and this is one important lesson that I have had to unlearn.

The most crucial thing that I have had to learn as an artist is the importance of creating art for myself rather than for others. It’s crucial to focus on art that ignites my passion, as this is what allows me to infuse my soul into my work. While I can create art that doesn’t personally interest me, I find that those pieces lack a part of my heart. They don’t resonate the same way as the pieces I’m genuinely enthusiastic about creating, where the passion is unmistakably present.When I pour my true self into my work, it becomes a reflection of my inner world, a mirror to my thoughts, dreams, and emotions. This authenticity not only enriches the creative process but also connects more deeply with those who view my art. They can sense the genuine emotion and intent behind each stroke, each color choice, and each form, making the experience of my art more profound and meaningful.

Moreover, creating art for myself helps me grow and evolve as an artist. It allows me to experiment without fear of judgment, to take risks, and to explore new techniques and styles. This freedom fuels my creativity and keeps my passion alive, ensuring that my work remains vibrant and dynamic.

Ultimately, the art I create for myself becomes a testament to my journey as an artist, a collection of pieces that tell my story. And while it might not always align with mainstream tastes or trends, it remains true to who I am, which is the most important aspect of my artistic expression.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, the most crucial support a community can offer artists is to invest in art created by local artists. This not only benefits the artists themselves but also contributes to the local economy. It’s advisable to refrain from purchasing art from chain stores and big retailers. When you acquire art from a local artist, you are acquiring a piece that was crafted with dedication and care. The artist poured their heart and soul into creating that piece by hand. They invested countless hours, days, and even months into producing the artwork you now hold.

The profits from your purchase go towards funding more art and sustaining the artist. You are not merely supporting a corporation by purchasing from a chain store; instead, you are directly supporting the individual who crafted the piece. Your contribution aids in the creation of future artworks, and it genuinely supports the artist’s livelihood.

When someone acquires my art, it provides me with an income to support my family and pets. Your purchase signifies more than just financial support; it conveys to me that my art has value. Knowing that my art resonated with you personally is incredibly meaningful to me as an artist. This encouragement is what drives me to continue creating, beyond just the financial aspect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kimberlynikoleart.my.canva.site/art
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kimberlynikoleart

Image Credits

Kimberly N. Eitland