Q&A with Kimberly Varnadoe

How would you describe your art?

I work in various mediums, choosing what I feel best suits the emotional connection I want my audience to experience when viewing my work.

How have you changed as an artist over the years?

I have transitioned from being a student to a professor and am now a full-time Artist. I have taught art at the college level for more than 30 years. I have been exposed to various art forms and feel grateful that I’ve had experiences engaging with my students as they learn to express themselves through art. At this point in my life, I am practicing what I’ve preached and engaging with life through an artist’s eyes.

What artists have influenced your work?

There are so many I couldn’t possibly name them all. I am influenced by art and life from many different perspectives. I have always been drawn to the drama and mystery in Caravaggio’s Baroque lighting. More recently, I have engaged with the women artists of the Abstract Expressionist phase of the mid-20th century, especially Joan Mitchell.

Do you have a favorite medium?

I enjoy choosing, using, and experimenting with a variety of mediums. I have been formally trained as a painter, printmaker, and photographer, and I often combine these mediums in my work. I have recently engaged with oil painting, which I have not practiced for decades, although I have taught painting for many years.

What does making art mean in your life?

Making art is ingrained in my soul. I choose to live artful life every day. Art, Life, Love…all merge together.

Anything else you think is important?

“Life is short”, as the saying goes. I believe life is an exciting journey filled with adventures to embrace. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. My philosophy is to live an authentic life and take care of ourselves and others as we can.

© 2023 Artworks Gallery, Inc. All rights to images in this site remain with the respective artists. Images may not be displayed, printed, published or reproduced without permission of the artist.