Artist & Advocate | Kimberly & Her Work
My Artistic Vision
My work does not reference any particular form, but rather, features more of an eclectic blend of sorts. I frequently experiment with my own inventive processes, while often creating pieces using whatever happens to inspire me at the time, transcending a notion into a unique piece of work.
My Bio
Hi, I’m Kimberly McGuiness, I’m a self-taught artist who works in a variety of mixed media, digital art, and some illustration with my thoughts being organic in nature.
I have always been a creative spirit my whole life, but, my true love has been my art since I was in elementary school. My artwork received a Certificate of Achievement from the Florida Winter Park Arts Festival in both 1976 and 1977. I went through the grades exploring art and developing my creativity through my high school graduation.
My life took a different turn when I was blessed with my daughter Julia in 1988. She is a ray of sunshine surrounded by an infectious loving spirit who is living with deaf autism.
She is my sunshine on my stormiest and my storm on my sunniest. After her birth, my art was on hold for many years until 2008 when I started back with my journaling which then leads me to where I am today with my work.
More About My Current Work
My creations are influenced by contemplative moments in my mind, where vision and energy undergo a metamorphosis. Patterns and textures from nature, cultures around the world, inspiration from others, and my own imagination are my greatest influences.
Some of my grooviest inspirations come from flowers. I’m profoundly intrigued and amazed at the beauty which can come from the tiniest of seeds, it’s just amazing. The beautiful texture and color all make for a fabulous kick starter for some of my more whimsy pieces.
I’m always pushing myself to try unique and usually different things, one to see if I like the process and if so how can I fold it into my style of work. Pens, ink, paper, acrylic, joint compound, molding paste, wood, canvas panels, vintage music, watercolor, recycled materials, and the computer are among some of my favorite tools in giving my creations life. I currently live and work in Cave Spring, Ga.
Community Impact
Kimberly has been involved in special education for some 19+ years. Because of her own daughter’s life journey of living with deaf autism, Kimberly has stepped up to become an activist for deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens and other individuals living with developmental disabilities. Because of her strong will in making a difference in the world and in people’s lives, she received the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 2010 from President Obama. The Citizenship Medal is the second-highest award from the President to an American citizen. Kimberly is the first of thirteen citizens to ever receive such an honor. Her goals are helping to improve the quality of life for others and giving back to communities.
Kimberly is also a founding member of DIGS, Inc. A 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to provide safe housing, work, and leisure opportunities for adults with developmental challenges. She’s one of several mentors for our ‘adults’ in our art club and our camera club. Find out more about us and the whole list of activities on our website.
Learn more about Julia’s World and have a look at our special interest resources on her page. For teachers, caregivers, or anyone needing visual supplemental materials we have over 15 free downloadable activities for visual learning and communication. Be sure to check back as more will be added.