Kimberly Wurster art – Circle Foundation for the Arts

What themes does your work involve?

Whether painting detailed renderings of the myriad birds and wildlife near Oregon’s coast or further inland amidst grassy fields and wetlands, Kimberly feels most at home creating images of nature. Her first love is painting birds. It may be because she is a cellist and therefore very sensitive to sound, that she finds total peace in listening to them call and sing, going about the daily business of being a bird.

Describe your creative process.

Kimberly begins her paintings with two or three thumbnails to check values and the relationship of the shapes. She then draws a detailed image, scans it into her computer, enlarging it and then printing it to scale. Using tracing paper and Saral Graphite Paper, she transfers this enlarged drawing to her paper or canvas, thus drawing the image only once to conserve energy for the painting. She uses a very limited palette regardless of the medium.

What influences your work? What inspires you?

Nature, in general, is her inspiration but birds, honey bees, wetlands and forests hold a special place in Kimberly’s heart. The sound of birdsong never fails to capture her attention and lift her spirits. Light, as it defines form and creates atmosphere, is also very inspiring to the artist and she finds herself often drawn to simple subjects in unusual lighting. She enjoys the challenge of creating the illusion of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface.

What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?

We can appreciate good art for the skill and knowledge it takes to bring all of the technical elements of good composition, design, and use of medium together in one piece. Great art possesses these qualities but goes even further as it compels us to return again and again, inspiring us to look more closely, touching us on an emotional level.

What is the role of the artist today?

Kimberly paints because she loves the challenge of creating something that looks as though it may fly or run away at any second, bringing her closer to the nature she observes and loves. It is important that some artistic statements bring attention to issues we humans tend to overlook or ignore in today’s society and natural environment but it is vital that we also create works of beauty that bring peace to our world.