Meet Kimberley Eddy | Ocean Artist

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

Hi Kimberley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My path to becoming a working artist has been a circuitous one. I have always kept journals and sketchbooks since I was a child, and I have painted, on and off since I was about 15 years old. I ended up in university and received degrees in Anthropology, Psychology and then in Education. I worked as a teacher in Bermuda, and my favourite part was teaching kids about the beautiful coral reefs that surrounded the island.

Then, after I had my 2 children, I ended up getting my diploma of interior decorating, which of course, is also a creative career. I worked in that industry in for over a decade. I did lots of wall murals and custom paintings to enhance spaces.

THEN my husband was diagnosed with cancer and my whole life was turned upside down. It was a very stressful time, of course. I started picking up my paintbrush more and more and realized that I was gravitating towards painting seascapes. When I painted the ocean, the stress melted away and I felt centered and present in the moment. It was definitely my therapy for getting through that turmoil.

The great news is that my husband is now cancer-free and I am still finding mindfulness in painting the ocean. I have found my path. I am a full-time artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multidisciplinary visual artist and I paint the ocean. I am drawn to the sea; the movement, the colours, the translucency, the depth, the mystery, the power, the quiet. I ache for it all. I incorporate a multitude of media into my art practice to represent the multitude of temperaments of the ocean.

I love the process of my art. The actual act of creation. It transports me to the ocean; yet pulls me into the moment of being present and mindful at the same time. When I am immersed in creating a piece of “oceany goodness”, I feel grounded and centered. I am completely at peace and focused on the present moment. It is the same feeling as being oceanside. Calm and at ease. It’s a form of meditation.

However, perhaps I find the biggest joy whenever someone sees my finished piece and they connect with it. When a memory stirs or they find a quiet moment within my art. When a painting reminds someone of time at the beach, or a special memory by the ocean whilst on vacation. The thought that my work might bring someone a moment of peace in their hectic day or add a bit of calm to their space brings me such happiness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would plan a getaway by the sea. Nova Scotia has 7, 400 Km of coastline to explore. First up, to explore the capitol city, where we would visit art galleries, local shops, and eat in restaurants overlooking the Halifax Harbour. We would take a city tour on the Harbour Hopper, an amphibious vehicle that drives through the streets and then straight into the harbour, all the while the guide fills you in on all the interesting historical facts. Then we would pack sunscreen and get into nature. We would hike along rocky paths overlooking the waves, over headlands to secluded sandy coves, and and visit several of my favourite local beaches; Carters, Queensland, Clam Harbour, Martinique, and Bayswater for a start. We would snorkel in Black Point and Fox Point. We would visit the quaint town of Lunenburg, a Unesco World Heritage Site. We would sample rum from a local distillery, and go for a sail on the Bluenose, our famous schooner that adorns the Canadian dime. We would head to the Highlands National Park in Cape Breton Island, which has been called “one of the world’s best excursions” by Frommer’s Guide. We would be on the lookout for moose as we drive around the highlands high above the coast. We would stop for hikes to see many waterfalls along the route. Next up, we would drive through the Annapolis Valley and have a wine tour in the vineyards. Then it would be on to Brier Island, where we would go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy to spot humpbacks breaching, and minkes and finbacks cresting the water. Then we would hunt for fossils and gemstones along the Fundy coastline. We could bring a travel art kit to document the entire trip in a travel art journal, of course!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful for my husband and kids who support and encourage me and my artistic endeavors every day. I also appreciate all the support given to me by Made in the Maritimes Artisan Boutique, Argyle Fine Art Gallery, and the Bermuda Society of Art.

Website: https://www.kimberleyeddyfineart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberleyeddy

Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-eddy-bbba8393

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimbereddy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberleyEddyFineArt

Image Credits
Kimberley Eddy