Meet Kimberly Ayers | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Ayers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Probably the most important thing is the amount of quality time we shared. I was fortunate to be able to bring her along on many trips and studio visits with established creatives, mostly in LA. So she learned from professionals in their own space. I didn’t want her to grow up in a suburban vacuum. We spent a lot of time in different cities and also in very rural areas. I have always been a ‘teach them how to think not what to think’ parent. As an artist (and human in general) you should keep an abstract/divergent thought process. You communicate why there is a rule/consequence and let them decide if something is worth risk.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I try not to get pigeonholed into one style or medium. I think if you are born with natural talent you should foster it and learn every material you possibly can. There is still original work to be made and new things emerging. If art has become your life it should develop along with you as a human. My art has changed so much through the years, thankfully. There is a lot of freedom in this field so it is important to make it a priority and have discipline. I worked through some serious health issues and was grateful for the flexibility as well. I like to work intuitively and react to the medium. Sometimes I am expressing a feeling but most of the time I just run with what the paint presents. A lot of my darker pieces resonate with people who have gone through struggles in their lives. My goal overall is to add to the beauty of this world. Whether the content is dark, weird, sexy or just nonrepresentational.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Somehow I always end up downtown. I love the lofts at Ace Hotel DTLA and The Last Bookstore. If it was my actual best friend (who is very introverted) I would take her to get the photo in front of Beverly Hills Hotel, Leos Taco Truck, The Getty, a cruise up PCH and find some gallery openings. Usually I am visiting with other artists in their studios. I get really overstimulated so I need to rest between spots and have space. You probably will not find me out and about on most days.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that played a part in helping me. At this moment in my life I would have to say that my Dad has helped me the most. He is the first one to really understand what it was I was trying to do. I can hear his voice in my head “you are not a laborer and you are not being paid as a laborer.” Things like that matter when you are surrounded day to day by people in traditional 9-5 environments.

Website: kimberlykjer.com

Instagram: kimberlykjer