The delicate beauty of Kim Kimbro’s work is never to be taken for granted.
Her stunning depictions of creatures large and small: birds, polar bears, deer, horses – have, in this exhibition, just closed at Los Angeles Art Association, moved her intensely realistic yet undoubtedly magical and emphatic work to new subjects: humans.
These particular humans are poised on a cusp of discovery, children approaching puberty, adolescents clinging to childhood and innocence and a pure belief in magic by a linear thread.
They are all soul, with backgrounds a delicate, luminous wash of color, in most cases indistinct. The central image of these children outgrowing childhood – yet retaining its beauty and freshness – remains the focus, both realistic and impressionistic, a web of color and light radiating from rosy skin and just out of sight.
Whether swaddled in the cocoon of a down coat like an emerging butterfly; or shyly profiled in a gauzy dress with other dresses hanging in the background – choices, so many choices ahead – these beautiful, magical creatures, sleeping beauties about to emerge into the full, raw bloom of life, are memorably lovely and graceful.
And yet, not quite among us, yet. Hiding an eye in a visual hide and seek with the viewer; floating against a sunrise-pink, suspended, sleeping, adrift; both considering and considered — these images are magnetically potent.
Kimbro’s work is finely attuned to both nature and the spirit – if there is a difference between the two, and the artist’s work infers that there may not be.
It is life itself that she is celebrating, and the magic that makes it real.
Her work is a joy to see.
Above, the artist with her own family of graceful, growing children.
- Genie Davis; Photos: Genie Davis
Beautiful paintings. I love your style, texture, and pallet.