I’m Kim Whaley.
I make modern florals with playful texture and bold use of materials.
Don’t we all wish for something to stop us during our busy day?
Something that makes us pause, really dig in to the present moment, and enjoy our surroundings?
My work focuses on that pause. With elegant forms, texture that draws you in, and charcoal shading that emphasizes the little details, these moody florals are the bold statement piece that your space needs.
Every piece starts with a flower chosen for its broken shape and elegant imperfections, and a handmade wooden panel, lovingly made in my workshop.
After a sketch is made, I lay down a thick layer of a primer called gesso, building up the edges and making marks that follow the pattern of the petals.
Then I add watered down acrylic paint, thin enough to pool in the crevices, and wipe away the excess to highlight the peaks.
After that, I use charcoal to add realistic shading and details, giving the appearance that the petals are reaching off the surface.
A little about me, you ask?
I am a mixed media artist and mother creating in deep south Alabama. I have always been drawn to making the things around me more beautiful, whether that be with interior design, choices in clothing, or painting and drawing. I started showing my work in school shows in kindergarten and never stopped. I graduated with a Studio Art degree from Troy University, and have been creating professionally since. You will often find me enjoying the moment with a cup of hot tea in hand and a lovely little girl on my hip.