Kathleen Zimmerman

Kathleen Zimmerman

YinYang - Trees (1 of 2)

2020

intaglio print with chine colle’ & charcoal on paper

2.5 x 2.5 in image, 10 x 8 in matted and framed

$180/pair

Kathleen Zimmerman

YinYang Series - Goats

2020

intaglio print (chine colle’ & charcoal)

2.5 x 2.5 in image, 10 x 8 in matted and framed

Sold

Kathleen Zimmerman

American, based in Willington, Connecticut

Artist's Statement

My art is the way I explore ideas concerning both day-to-day life as well as more profound ideas surrounding relationships, the environment and culture. It is a meditative practice of sorts that helps me stop and think about life. Over the years, I have developed a personal visual language that uses symbolism and surrealism to transform my subject matter into archetypal images. I have been told this gives my work a mythical quality making them both timely as well as timeless.

I create my art in series so I can fully investigate my subject matter. The size of each series is determined by what I need to think through and what holds my interest. While all my art plays well together, most are complete works of art on their own. Bear Hugs, Evening & Morning Star and WoMan are exceptions in that they are bonded pairs that were created together and need each other to complete the visual statement.

I am often asked where I find inspiration for my artwork. In answer to this, I would say life is full of inspiration and I find it wherever I happen to be. It may be when I am traveling in other countries, or when I lived in China, or here in the States. I find if I look to nature, ideas for new work are all around me. I have found inspiration looking at trees that were peeking through a window in a thoughtfully crafted room in Japan. I was inspired by a sweet-faced mud-covered cow I saw standing by a road in Thailand. A delightful, spotted creature running through the woods in the States, has sparked new ways of thinking. These are just a few examples, and their resulting artwork can be seen in my Landscape, Cosmic, and Xtrasensory Series’.

When I am thinking about what my mission as an artist is, I have to say that I strive to create work that is aesthetically and emotionally meaningful. The fact that I portray all living beings as equals to be considered and valued is very important to me both as an artist and a person.

Biography:: What inspires me?

Life. The act of creating helps me make some sense of the world that I find myself in.

I was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is nestled along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. My father was a carpenter, with a love for the outdoors and my mother was an educator, with a love for the arts.

At the early age my family began spending our free time exploring the mountains of Colorado, and in the horse pasture with our Welsh pony. These were developmental experiences that instilled in me a love for the natural world, and a strong bond with animals.

What were my early memories as an artist?

As far back as I can remember I wanted to make things. This need to create and my unique way of expressing what I saw, and felt, was noticed in school and beyond. I was awarded artistic merit scholarships from the University of Hartford's Art School, in West Hartford, Connecticut where I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and my first life-sized bronze sculpture was commissioned for the renowned Benson Park Sculpture Garden in Loveland, Colorado.

How have I lived an artist’s life?

After graduating I worked mainly three-dimensionally and developed my artistic skills while I raised my sons. Once my sons were grown, my husband and I took advantage of an opportunity to live in China where I worked full-time as an artist, became part of a group of international artists, and traveled widely. These experiences gave me a broad perspective on life and helped me develop a strong body of mature work. The drawings from this period were exhibited in China, as well as in the States where I won awards and honorary memberships.

When I moved back to the States, I was awarded a Regional Arts Grant, began creating hand-made intaglio and serigraphic prints, and models for life-sized sculpture. I have acquired gallery representation, been collected by private collectors, and been included in national group and solo exhibitions.

How did I develop my vision?

When asked about my vision, I have to say I have a strong bond to the natural world, an inherent way of seeing and a very active imaginary world. All those things seem to have come together in my art. As a young artist, all I thought about was creating unique works of art. Now that I am a mature artist, I also think about how these works of art can make a difference in the world. Maybe even help others make sense of the world they find themselves in.