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BIOGRAPHY

Kim Weissenborn is an artist who lives and paints both in Rueil Malmaison, France and Vero Beach, Florida. Kim Weissenborn was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1959. She was an extremely shy and sensitive child finding solace through drawing and coloring. Because of a learning disability Kim struggled with academics. A turning point for Kim was when her mother enrolled her in a private watercolor class where she continued to paint in watercolor for 45 years. In 2020, after her son's suicide, Kim moved part time to Paris and began painting in Oil. She received her BFA at Parson’s school of design in New York, NY. Kim majored in illustration but also had an interest in pursuing painting. She is best known for her arresting portraits. Many of her paintings are in private collections throughout the US, South American and Europe. Kim has been teaching art to adults  for over 40 years. She illustrates children’s books. One of the most notable books is, Pansy at the Palace.

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ARTIST STATEMENT AND PROCESS

Exploration, puzzle solving, and mystery of the unknown, particularly the interior unknown, are what draw Kim to create. Kim is an intuitive painter. The brush, knife or her fingers are the tools she prefers to use in order to extract the mystery within and get it out quickly and efficiently. Using photos she has taken from her observations; she will begin making Notan sketches. Still, not fully cognizant of the direction she will go; she moves forward by applying paint and then wiping out areas until she is satisfied. Wildly turning the canvas upside down and sideways like a composer Kim appears completely in charge.

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“The whole process is pure faith. At first, I have a lot of apprehension beginning a painting because I am never sure what will happen. Once I begin, I feel a sense of direction and the anxiety goes away. I paint so quickly , almost violently that it often shocks people. I have noticed that the first hour of painting is the most crucial. If I continue further trying to correct "flaws", I ruin it. 

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Kim often incorporates imagery such as crosses, auras around her figures or dark mysterious figures entering the picture plain, no doubt influences from her spiritual background. She is inspired by artists such as Manet, Monet, Bonnard, Egon Schiele, and Peter Doig.

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“It is important that my work has a message or that it creates a visceral reaction. I don't try to manufacture a message, it must happen in the process naturally. The painting needs to be recognizable and yet have room for interpretation and mystery. I prefer muted color because it allows one to enter the painting easily. Too much color for me can be a distraction. You see all the color and then you are done looking. One bright pop of color is more interesting to me than a whole canvas full of color. I won’t paint a “pretty” picture. I can admire them, but I won’t paint one, at least not yet. It wouldn’t be honest. I think I am ultimately painting myself. I have always felt like an ugly duckling and because of this I am attracted to ugly ducklings. Like a miner, I am able to dig deep down and find that beautiful jewel that everyone misses. There is something beautiful in every ugly thing and something ugly in every beautiful thing. I want to paint that”

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EXHIBITIONS

Chateau Bonnemare Radepont, France 2024

Michel-Frager Hall in Veules-les-Roses, France 2024

Vero Beach Museum,Treasure Coast Creates 2023

Chapelle Saint-Léonard, Croissy, France 2022

Atelier Grognard Museum Rueil Malmaison, France 2022

M.Maison Gallery Vero Beach, FL USA 2020

Legends Gallery Chatham, NJ USA 2019

Christ Church Vero Beach FL USA 2017

Vero Beach Museum USA 2015

Vero Beach Museum USA 2014

Vero Beach Museum USA 2012

Monterey Virginia USA 2002

Martha Lincoln Gallery FL 1999​​

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PUBLICATIONS

TAP into Chatham 2019

Vero Beach Magazine July 2017 

TC Palm March 2106

TC Palm March 2015

32963 Article May 2014

32963 Magazine Article May 2013 Page 22

Vero News.com May 2013

The Vero Beach Magazine January 2013

32963 Magazine 2013

TC Palm 2012

Vero News 2012

Vero Beach Businesses.com