We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly Van Dam De Gil. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.
Kimberly , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is a series called “Healing Hearts.” I was driving one day when Jesus whispered to me, “Look at the trees… what do they have in common? Where do they come from? ” All trees come from a seed in a hole in the ground.
Where did this hole come from?
A hole has to be made either by an animal or trauma to the earth, many times intentional, man-made. The environment
determines how each grows, sometimes under extreme duress, making each tree unique.
It doesn’t matter how broken, how deep, or how wide the cracks were in the ground. All scars to the Earth disappear as the trees grow and fill each hole. The same can be applied to our hearts, when we allow love to grow we are healed and our hearts are transformed.
Have you ever experienced a ‘hole’ in your heart?
A void unfilled, dark emptiness? It is a faceless, genderless, culturally shared experience of the collective. Have you lived your life searching for those holes to be filled? Do you want to be healed?
The Healing Hearts series illustrates the transformation of hearts when we make the conscious decision to allow the seeds of hope, healing, forgiveness and love of self and others to be sown. Each tree illustrates a different person and their story of growth. My hope is each encounter will ‘speak’ to my audience. To begin to visually “heal” across the division and pain.
Plant the seeds of life, from the tree of life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Kimberly Van Dam de Gil, and I’m the artist behind Van Dam it Kim Illustrations. My journey with art began at the age of three, and I’ve known without a doubt that creativity is what I was born to do. I’m an alumna of The Governor’s School for the Arts and earned my BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. While art has always been my passion, I didn’t initially see it as a career path—until I studied fashion and illustration, when the reality of being a “starving artist” hit me.
During the years spent paying off student loans, I worked in various roles, including as a preschool teaching assistant and as a spa general manager to support myself. At the same time, I took on freelance projects, offering services like logo design for small businesses, portraits, concept art, children’s book illustrations, tattoo designs, and more. However, like many artists, I eventually hit a point of burnout. To manage my workload, I transitioned from managing a company to becoming a mortgage loan officer assistant, which gave me the balance I needed—cutting down on my jobs and allowing more creative time.
This extra time allowed me to showcase my artwork in local galleries and coffee shops in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. My work evolved, leading to larger projects, including private contracts for companies like CBN and visual consulting for various initiatives. I also teach painting at in-person events and will be launching a jewelry collection in March 2025.
The process of creating my jewelry collection has taught me valuable new skills, from producing and editing promotional materials to envisioning and creating a short commercial. This journey has further expanded my creative horizons.
What sets me apart as an artist is my versatility. I embrace a wide range of mediums, from watercolor, ink, and traditional paint to digital painting, allowing me to continuously create without being confined to one style or niche. This flexibility enables me to approach each project with a fresh perspective and diverse techniques. I’m especially passionate about teaching and love helping others shift from an “I can’t do it” mindset to an “I did it!” moment. Watching people discover their hidden talents is incredibly fulfilling.
My personal philosophy about art is to be intentional. I don’t believe in mistakes, only visual opportunities that help me grow. This philosophy extends beyond art—every minute is a brushstroke on the canvas of my life, and I strive to be intentional with each one, knowing that each is part of my greatest masterpiece.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
For me, art is more than a talent to exploit for personal gain—it’s a necessity. It’s how I process and understand my emotions, feelings, and the human experience. While many artists are known for relying on the “right side” of the brain, the creative side, to express themselves, my process has always been a blend of both logic and creativity. I’ve experienced the world more analytically, approaching everything with logic, and I use art as a form of visual problem-solving. It’s my way of communicating my life experiences in a universal language that others can relate to.
I’ve also realized that I’ve never created a true masterpiece until I surrendered my artwork to the master, Jesus. Once I did, opportunities began to unfold without me actively seeking them. My mission is to use the universal language of art to show others that they are loved and can heal. I want people to know that they don’t have to feel isolated in their experiences; we are all part of the larger picture of life, and through art, we can share in that journey together.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to communicate. Communication is one of the most beautiful and valuable skills, and visual communication amplifies that power. As an illustrator, I have the privilege of creating space for understanding. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is using my craft to teach, especially helping those who consider themselves “non-creatives” to express themselves in ways they never thought possible.
What excites me about illustration is its ability to reach a diverse audience—people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. Many are unfamiliar with the role of an illustrator, so let me shed some light: an illustrator creates images that capture and convey messages or ideas in a single, dynamic visual. Whether it’s a book cover, a logo that embodies a brand’s vision, a wine bottle label, or a fashion illustration that draws you in, the goal is always the same: to communicate clearly and effectively through one powerful image.
With the wide range of industries, cultures, and experiences in the world, clear communication has never been more important. The opportunity to use my skills to inspire, educate, and connect people in a meaningful and uplifting way is what keeps me motivated every day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vandam.it.kim.illu?igsh=MWlzdGoxMWprcTZxYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-van-dam-de-gil-71911a216
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/7Aw9mctr2gE?si=VW7kwVoGaWg6fWfN
