Meet Kim Curran

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

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was a professional photographer for 15 years. I specialized in child portraiture and was known for stark expressions, vivid colors and creative urban locations. I had an active studio in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego.

In the Fall of 2016, I experienced a series of unfavorable events that left me in a bit of a breakdown. It was time for me to be prepping for the busy season in the portrait business, but I had nothing. I was empty, Empty and becoming depressed. I am not the praying kind, but praying is what I did. I asked, “What do I do now?” and real estate kept coming to mind. So, I collected myself and enrolled in real estate classes. I no longer had any desire to do photography. I packed up my camera and I let my studio go.

While doing the real estate course work, I found myself at the art store with a cart full of paint and a few canvases. It came from nowhere. I needed a new creative outlet, to fill the photography void, I suppose. I got home all excited with my new art supplies, set up a work space in the back yard; then doubt set in. I stood there, paralyzed, staring at a blank canvas. “What am I thinking!?” I asked myself, “I’m not a painter.”

I had studied art in college, but that was a long time ago. I was full of anxiety and doubt. I sat down in tears. “Who do I think I am, an artist or something?” Wait….I AM an artist or something. I have been creating art for my clients for the past decade and a half. Yes, it was with my camera and not paint, but the design elements are still the same. I know about color, texture, contrast, composition. I have been told many times that I have such a great eye.

Do I really? “TRY!” I told myself. “Just paint for the process. Paint without judgement. Paint for the trashcan. Just paint.”
I finally convinced myself and I began. It felt good and I liked it. And you know what? I liked what I had painted. So, I painted and I painted. How about that?

Please tell us about your art.
My message is simple; bring joy. I create bold, bright, happy, unapologetic abstracts. One look will tell you I am not afraid of color. I love paint for the sake of paint. I don’t have the desire to paint a subject. For me, the paint itself is enough, the paint IS the subject.

In January, I was preparing for my very first solo show. I had been quite sick and it had been raining for several days. My studio is outdoors, so I was not getting much done. I was stressing myself out over trying to produce a body of work that I would be publicly displaying for the very first time ever in my life.

When the rain stopped and my I had taken all of my antibiotics, I decided to paint something just for fun. I needed to remind myself not to take things so seriously and just paint for the joy of it. To my surprise, I ended up with a triptych of LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE. They were vibrant, playful and had such a happy message. I decided that I loved them! When the opportunity to paint an electrical box came, I quickly knew that LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE WOULD be my submission. It was accepted. I also made limited edition North PARK posters that are signed and numbered. I have LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE stickers and coffee cups. My hope is to have them in a few North Park stores soon and plan to give a portion of the revenue back to my fabulous neighborhood.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
Well, I can only speak for myself. The point of my art is simple; to bring joy. Simple does not equal unimportant. In troubled times, the need for joy is amplified.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE collection as well as my other pieces can be viewed and purchased here http://kimcurran.bigcartel.com

I have a solo show of about 20 pieces at BENCHMARK BREWING COMPANY 6190 FAIRMOUNT AVE. STE. G.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92120 This show will be wrapping up soon, so hurry in to see it.Or head over to Mike Hess Brewing, North Park 3812 Grim Ave, San Diego, CA 92104.

I have a piece in the Celestial show presented by Hanalei Artworks called PARTY AT THE END OF THE WORLD. Show runs through the end of April or if you are strolling the streets of North Park you can see my LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE work on the electrical boxes on 30th St. at University Ave. in front of Para’s News. If you live in North Park and LOVE WHER YOU LIVE, take a look at my site for my North Park limited prints for purchase, or let me know you want a sticker. They are free.

I have been talking with the folks at Love City Height and hope to be collaborating on a mural in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://kimcurran.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimcurranpaints/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimCurranArtStudio/?ref=profile_intro_card

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.