A Dozen Details with Kim Klassen...

I'm very excited to introduce you to the second artist I had the privilege of interviewing for our Dozen Details series. Kim Klassen is a breath of fresh air, a ball of positive energy, and a wonderful artist. She is constantly in motion with her hands in a plethora of creative endeavors at all times.She began her creative journey as a painter and now works in primitive art. She has since fallen in love with photography and has quite an eye. Not only that, but Kim has also just come out with her very own pack of photo textures, is teaching an intro to Photoshop e-course, produces many how-to videos with regards to both painting and photography, and has a few other collaborations and on-going projects as well. I was so excited to get "the skinny" {playing off the title of her e-course} on Kim!

1) How long have you been living a completely creativity infused life? Did you ever have any other profession besides artist?

My creative life started in about 1992. We moved into our antique home and things just kind of grew from that point forward. Before that, I worked in a Canadian dept store, in the men’s department. i loved creating the displays , you know… mannequin set up and stuff. but I never actually drew or painted til I started in 94. I don’t think I’ve really looked back. It’s not a choice… it’s part of me, like sleeping, eating or breathing….. I have to create.

other than working in the department store, I spent a year as an education assistant at our local elementary school.

That’s it…..

2) Where did you learn to paint?

I am self taught… I tend to get an idea in my head and just have to learn how to do it. Sigh…

3) What led you towards primitive arts?

I’ve always loved old things… that’s why I love prims…and because we live in an antique home, primitive art just fits so well in our home.

4) You have recently fallen in love with photography. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

Oh dear, that’s a tough one… I love photographing stills and nature. I love photographing old abandoned buildings as well though. I think if I had little ones around like you, meg… I would be photographing them all the time. I wish I “knew” photography when my kids were little. But perhaps, someday, I will have grandchildren to follow around with my camera.

5) How did your background in painting help you to create your new line of textures?

Oh my I am in love with creating textures. I think because I create worn, weathered art… the texture creating was pretty easy and felt so natural.

6) Do you apply the same or different principles when layering paints on your canvas and layering textures on your photos?

The process is actually quite similar. Layer, sand, layer sand… when painting… layer, layer mask, layer, layer mask… in photoshop.

7) What would you tell someone who is intimidated by working with textures? Any ‘try this first’ advice?

Oh I say DIVE in…

It’s such an artful experience…very expressive. I have a couple of how to vids on my site that show you how to get started… it’s awesome…. ♥



8) What gear do you use for photography? What is your favorite/most used lens and why?

I have a Nikon d90. I have several lenses. But, my most fav is my 50 mm f/1.8… however I am dreaming of the 50mm f/1.2 that’s apparently releasing soon….sigh… I purchased a sigma 50mm macro… and it’s AWESOME. I find myself wondering what I did without it. I also have a 35mm f/1.8 that I use for photographing my art and portraits as well. Then there’s my zoom lens. I use it a lot while photographing abandoned buildings and nature.

I have to stop myself from always wanting bigger and better. It tends to come with the photography bug I think. :)

9) What are your essentials for painting?

Oh gosh, pine boards, canvases… I’m crazy about golden paints these days… must have crackle medium, gel medium, oh and tim holtz distress ink… oh and gel stain…. Brushes and more brushes…. I’m a supply addict. I am blessed to get free brushes and paints from some of the companies…. So my stash is HEAVENLY…. :)

10) What do you do when you’re in a creative slump?

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a slump….but that’s most likely because I was in a slump for about 2 years…. It was really quite painful. But when I finally came out of it…. WOW… explosive…. I’ve been on creative fire ever since… it’s been almost a year since that awful slump… may it never return.

creativity can’t be forced. It must flow…

11) What are three words that you hope people do or will use to describe you and/or your work?

That’s a tough one.. ummmm… sincere, warm, creative


12) What is your definition of success?

Living a truly creative life…. Dollars or no dollars…. Truly creating is the only life I want to live.

 
Isn't she just amazing! Aaaannnddd...Kim is generously offering up a GIVEAWAY of one of her awesome texture packs to one lucky reader!!! All you  have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. Comments will be closed on Friday, April 23rd at midnight and the winner will be announced on Sunday, April 25th.
 

 
You can visit Kim at her blog, her Flickr stream, or her Etsy shop. And you can see her blog featured in the upcoming Summer issue of Artful Blogging magazine {yay, Kim!!!} and her photography featured in the current issue of Stampington's Sommerset Life magazine {yay, again!!!}.
 
Thank you, Kim! It was so nice having you today!