Meet Kimie Joe | Artist: Painter, Potter, Art Instructor

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

Hi Kimie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a creative person at heart. From a young age I made my own paper dolls, origami toys, quilts, games. I loved creating. But my artistic career began when I became a mom. I started by painting my kids. Capturing their spirit and essence. Other parents would ask about my paintings so I started donating custom paintings and then started selling commissions. At the same time I obtained a Masters in Multimedia and Creative Technologies from USC leading to a position with the Engineering Visualization Resources group at Northrop Grumman where I used my creative passion to create data driven computer graphics and animations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After having my first child, I began painting impressionistic portraits of my kids and selling custom paintings of children. I spent time getting to know my subjects and used a palette knife and thick oil paints to capture their spirit and energy. I wanted my paintings to convey the feelings the children evoked while they innocently played and interacted with each other and their natural surroundings. As my art career developed, I found as much meaning in the inspiration and creative process as I did for the final end product.

I also have a background in Chemical Engineering where I’ve worked on environmental cleanup projects for Superfund sites and also worked for Boeing as a subcontractor to NASA for the International Space Station program. I feel fortunate to be able to draw from my experiences to create art. I created “Global Harmony” to reflect my voice on the subject of world peace and environmental awareness. It won an award at a juried exhibit. It’s made from hand woven strips of upcycled maps and pages from National Geographics united into a unique, balanced mixed-media painting…showing how the colors and textures work together in harmony.

My oil painting “Mother’s Journey” was an expressionistic piece created when I realized my mother was developing age-related issues, reflecting on my own experiences as a mother and daughter, and further inspired by her favorite song by Misora Hibari. The song is about the flow of a river and how it parallels the twists and turns we embrace and endure in our lives. For me, the painting represented motherhood…the joys, obstacles, victories, love and loss.

As I traveled abroad and moved from coast to coast, my experiences deepened my art passion. I sought art involvement where I could find opportunities. It was definitely a challenge to move and to start over in new cities. I hosted paint and sip art events, opened (and closed) art studios, taught art, made art, and continued my art education through classes, workshops and experimentation. But I was really fortunate to make friends and connect with artists in each phase. During Covid we moved back to Los Angeles/South Bay where I’m thrilled to be back. I learned pottery and set up a small pottery studio within my art studio.

My most recent works incorporate facets of my life… experiences as a woman, mother, engineer, traveler, and participation in different communities and societies. “Culmination” is a mixed media painting deliberately created from upcycled media, ceramic tiles that I handmade and glazed, oil paints and epoxy. To me it is a unique interpretation of where I am today. My goal is to create authentic works that are meaningful to me and hope that viewers will be able to relate to my work in their own ways.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fun! We’d start with a bloody mary at Hennessy’s roof deck in Hermosa Beach then head to brunch at Butcher’s Daughter followed by shopping at the cool shops along Abbot Kinney in Venice, and end up at Capo for an amazing Italian dinner (definitely ordering the truffle ravioli) or FIG for Mediterranean. We’d check out the Getty Museum, the Broad, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and enjoy dinner at the iconic Musso and Frank Grill in Hollywood. More shopping on Rodeo Drive or maybe Pickwick Vintage Show if timing is right. A Graffiti Art tour through Downtown LA would be fun and wining-down at Rappahannock with a lobster roll and oysters. Another day, we’d rent bikes and ride along the Strand in the South Bay, stop for a fresh lunch at Hook & Plow, and get a Fanta Shot or two at Shellback Tavern before heading to Esperanza for margaritas and ceviche or the Comedy and Magic Club for some great comedy. I’d make sure we do some art and take a fun class at South Bay Artist Studio in Redondo Beach. Rooftop bars are always a hit and I love going to Rooftop Cinema Clubs for drinks and a movie! Another favorite is doing karaoke at the Artesia in Redondo Beach, or Hollywood’s Break Room 86. My friend would definitely want an In-N-Out Burger on our way to the airport.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have been instrumental in my story. For starters, my mother, Teruko, is at the root of who I am and has been my biggest ambassador… fostering and encouraging my creativity from the beginning. My husband, Ben definitely deserves a shoutout for his support of my art passion. I couldn’t be doing what I love without his backing and encouragement. My three amazing children, Kailee, Aiden and Zachary – they inspire me everyday with their love, curiosity, and zest for life. Kris Rone for being the first person to purchase art from me and encouraging me to sell my work. My amazing friends – they have supported me along the way by attending art shows, painting with me, or purchasing my art. Will Fortier helped me to let go of the ideal of “perfection” in art. I’ll always remember his advice to move on from a project and that not every piece has to be a masterpiece. Rich and Ginny Weiss have been gracious collectors from the beginning. K Liles, founder of SouthEnd Arts in Charlotte, NC opened her doors and my heart to a wonderful, meaningful group. making art and art experiences accessible to everyone, including me. The wonderful volunteers at Young At Art that keep art alive at our schools in the South Bay. Sara Butler at South Bay Artist Studio keeps my passion fueled by letting me teach art at her studio in Redondo Beach, CA. Layla Hiramatsu, founder of Cherry Co Art Gallery in Redondo Beach recently hosted a month-long solo-exhibit of my artwork and continues to sell my pottery.

Website: www.KimieJoeArt.com

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