Who is the artist?

Meet Kim Lawson, who recently organized a community event using arts and crafts to bring her neighborhood together.

Kim Lawson

“I have a BA degree in English from UC Santa Barbara. Not particularly useful in the art world, but I love words and am skillful in finding ways to manipulate them in work and art projects. As an early retiree, I find that I have a lot of time on my hands and thus, started playing with art projects in my home studio - things that I had always wanted to work on because deep down I knew I loved the exploration and creativity of the soul.

I love all kinds of artwork and my studio is filled with beads, papers, yarn, wire, bottles, paint - you name it! I find odd things to collect sometimes on the street, junk mail, discarded toys, sale bins, and my "happy hour" beverages. My family secretly thinks I have a hoarding disease. Is it wrong to see potential in everything?

I can't seem to settle on one kind of project type. As a self-taught artist, I have found great joy in watercolor, photography, drawing, and art journaling. Bold colors, unusual viewpoints, and nature catch my attention and I work to produce pieces that I see in my mind's eye.

Colorful Corners - watercolor affixed to canvas 

My career background focused on project and event management. I recently organized a local art and craft fair in Concord that included over 40 artists. I will be teaching a craft class and an art journaling class beginning in January for the Concord Park and Recreation department. I have taught classes at Concord's Hobby Lobby store, I have an Etsy site - besameart.etsy.com, I'm featured at local craft fairs, and regularly organize "Girls' Night Art" events for friends wanting to learn fun projects. I've heard people say, 'I can't make that. I'm not artsy.' I believe everyone has a creative spirit within and it's just a matter of finding the spark and igniting it. It's amazing to watch that spirit come alive! I encourage myself and others by saying mistakes are not part of our vocabulary, but rather opportunities to create something new and better.

Rosalynn Carter once said, 'You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.' That said, I soldier on!”  
   —Kim Lawson