Check Out Kim Kyne’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Kyne. 

Hi Kim, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
When I decided to go to Otis College of Art and Design, my intent was to study painting. Once I was introduced to the fashion program, I switched gears because I was drawn to the field and saw it as a way to satisfy my need to be creative while having a more financially stable career. While there has been a lot of pleasure working in this industry, it hasn’t been without major drawbacks. At times, I was underpaid and encouraged to copy the work of other designers. This disillusionment caused me to start creating my own artwork as a way to cope with dissatisfaction and stagnation. My first victory was when I was hired to create live art for an event at a clothing store. I hadn’t felt excited about anything in so long and on top of that, I was paid more in 2 hours of work than an entire day at my dead-end design job at the time. This was the initial seed that helped me grow into myself as an artist. 

Today, I balance working for Awe Inspired, a fine Jewelry company with a focus on feminism and social justice, with my personal work as a visual artist. I’m glad to be in the fashion industry in a much more aligned way while still having the time and space to pursue art. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been totally smooth but thankfully I’m in a place where I can appreciate the bumps I’ve endured along the way. One such struggle has been maintaining a livelihood. In late 2020, I was laid off from my jewelry design job. After a few weeks of processing the shock and shame, I was able to make the best of the situation by investing more time into my personal work. As a result, I had the time and energy to create new ceramic sculptures for a group show. 

Due to prior experience, the rebound was a lot quicker when I was laid off again some months ago. I’ve been able to use this time to make new sculptures and prepare for some upcoming shows I’ll be participating in. I’ve learned that what can initially look like a setback is a setup for unimagined success and opportunities. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I step into the studio, I leave all judgements and responsibility at the door. I’m able to access and heal my inner child by creating ceramic sculptures that serve to address wounds and delight the viewer. I’m struck by silly ideas throughout my day, and I bring them to life. The more (technically) useless and ridiculous, the better. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
When I was a child, a game I liked to play was creating commercials for products. One time, I was all dressed up for church and my parents were still getting ready, so it was the perfect opportunity to act out one of my commercials. I picked up a jar of beet red borscht and said aloud “Mmmmmmmm borscht” as I tipped back the not fully closed jar to my lips. As you can imagine, my pastel floral dress was now drenched and ruined, and it was very hard for my parents to understand how this mishap occurred. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimkyne.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimkyne/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimKyne
• Other: https://society6.com/kimkyne

Image Credits
Erez Safar