Interview with:Kim Rodeffer Funk [kimrf]
ART
 | What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist? I am a lyrical/emotional abstract painter with a background in interior design. I have always been able to identify with American Abstract Expressionistic painters, however my work tends to lean more towards a lyrical feel which was evident in the French movement of the same era.
My paintings are quite organic and my own emotions play an important part in what appears on the canvas. I employ a loose hand with the paint and use brushes sparingly preferring a variety of objects for paint manipulation. |
| What is your message? Take the time to contemplate the world around you, your relationships and your purpose while you find your center. |
| Your biography in four lines. Creative individual with a design education and background who found her calling in a pot of paint. Because her paintings are unique and employ an unusual approach, they are collected by individuals across the US, England, Germany, France and New Zealand. Writing additionally plays an important part in bringing Kim's paintings to fruition. |
| Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it? |
| How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration? I am not sure "idea" is the right word as it is not as concrete as that. As I move through my life I contemplate many things (what color is speed? what does sour look like? how does that sound translate to color? what does that feeling look like composed in paint on canvas? etc.) Sometimes I write them down, sometimes I ask opinions, but usually they just reside in me. Then one day they might want out so I put them on canvas. My conversations with others (artists and non-artists), other artist's creativity, reading, writing, feeling and general life are the sparks for my paintings. |
| What role does technology play in your creative process? Technology allows me, an introvert, a meaningful connection to other creative people I would otherwise never contact. It additionally allows me to be able to share my work with the remainder of the world and tell my story (like here).
Of course, indirectly, technology is behind the products I use. |
| What is art? For me, art is a representation of life in all its forms and emotions. Good art is a connection with the core of the artist's being. |
| When do you get your best ideas? This makes question makes me smile, because I am not sure there are specific times the inspiration makes itself known, but there are times when I relax enough to make the connections which seem to be an important part of my work. Journal writing time is critical each day and can be a very productive time for me. Meditation is one of the best ways I have found to connect with my center and a lot of my work comes from that place inside of me. Night dreams also provide some excellent visuals which often help me to move a painting along. One of the most productive times for my AH-HA moments actually comes during my showers! |
| How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not? I use a sketchbook to think about processes I might employ, and my journal is one of my best friends for working out from where something comes. Usually I leave my work out where I can observe it in order to begin a process of evaluation. Sometimes I know right away if a painting works, other times it will take a long time of hanging out to know what is right. It is difficult to be specific because I have so many years of evaluating design, then art, the knowledge has become more of a feeling...a knowing, if you will. |
| Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created? Mmmmm, there are many brilliant creations for which I applaude and am grateful. I do not wish for their creations however! It is truly my own creations I seek. |
| When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist? I have always seen myself as a highly creative person who sees the world in a different way. The "artist" label came when I stopped censoring my work and allowed myself to be one. |
| Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities? Do they? This is not so much my experience. If this is the case, it most likely is due to the incredible pressure to always "perform" at peak with very little reward. The artist leaves a bit of themselves with every work they produce. They are not often recognized for the work they do, and there is constant giving without anyone returning the gifts. This soon takes it toll, but the artist cannot stop creating (giving). The artist/creator has many public critics but few public praises. |
| Do you consider yourself postmodern? Yes! |
| How should a work of art be evaluated? That depends on who is doing the evaluation. Clearly the academic or critic would evaluate differently than a collector. The logical/sequential thinking personality will evaluate a work differently from the intuitive/web thinking personality. |
| Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday? We must be willing to be open to the possibilities and move in an unplanned direction with a single pivot. It is important to be able to jump from one idea or expression to another and possibly leave behind others. I am not sure about the reinvention as the artist needs to remain true to themselves. |
| Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work? There are so many I really admire for going before me like Rothko, Pollack, Krasner, Frankenhaler, Calder, etc.
The thing is there are so many current artist I truly admire and make me remain true to my own work.
Andrea de Palacio (http://www.andreadepalacio.com) pushes me to push the boundaries of my work each day.
Dianne McNaughton (http://diannemcnaughtonart.com) challenges me to turn things around.
Elizabeth Whitmore (http://www.elizabethwhitmore.com) keeps me grounded and reminds me how important it is to broaden my views.
Elis Cooke (http://intotheblystic.blogspot.com/) makes me consider just what it is I am doing and why.
Fiona Long (www.fionalongart.co.uk) provides so much encouragement for me and makes sure I take an honest look at my work and the world around me.
Adam Reeder (www.adamreeder.com) challenges me to look forward and backward at the same time and ask "why".
Lesley McIver (http://www.glitz.co.nz/glitz/profile) encourages me to remain true to my own work while exploring the work of others.
Bill Meek (www.meekgallery.com) reminds me to take a chance, because you just never know.
There are so many more, but these few touch me on a daily basis. |
| What do you think about public funding for the arts? I think it is good and wish there was more public money for the arts in general and more focus on visual arts. The focus on public art seems to be focused more on performing arts which is a very good thing, but a nice balance would also be positive. |
| Is art necessary? Absolutely! Art not only creates a balance in our communities and economies, but it also encourages tolerance. The study of art for everyone creates more balanced brains among our citizens. Art also tells a story of history and a story of individuals. I do not believe communities and the world can be successful without the arts. |
| Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold? Not usually, because at that point I have given it all I have to give. It is time for the next phase of the painting's life.
I am also a process junkie! |
| Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought? That depends on the seller and the buyer and their individual intentions and purposes.
I can say, however, each painting of mine is freely given a part of me - a part of who I am. |
| In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is? Sometimes I have no idea what the next step might be. Creating excellent art is a web process - the parts all interconnect. There is not a linear process, so you have to follow the muse - the inner, creative voice - the next step is individual and often never the same. The artist just needs to be open and mindful of the possibilities and willing to abandon anything which does not work. |
| How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased? We all must die sometime, so they can't help it. Clearly those who have inherited the estate are happy to sell the works, as they should be.
I do feel a great deal of sadness artists often never know their own value and influence (see the answer about an artist's reputation towards emotional outbursts). I would love to see this change, but we also have to recognize museums are often run by those with an interest in documenting history. |
| What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career? At times these professionals have given me courage and encouragement, but mainly they have left me with the feeling of our relationship not being a team effort. |
| What types of jobs do you usually do? I am the wife of a professional and a mother. Need I say more? |
| Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy? I love to experiment with new ways of expressing myself. I find journaling about my work very pleasurable, as well. I also love to talk with other artists about the work they are doing and about what I am learning. |
| Do you personally collect any items? I love to collect art bits of friend's explorations. We also have a nice collection of art glass (sculptural, vessels and jewelry) which I am completely intrigued with. I am also a lover of pottery. Often anything considered a vessel holds my interest. |
| Which websites do you frequently visit? |
| What advice would you give to those just beginning? Stay true to yourself and recognize you are the CEO of your own business. Don't forget, asking for help is not a sin. |
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[kimrf]
Kim Rodeffer Funk
Washington, DC United States
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