Art By Kim Keffer

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Human Nature

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“Human Nature” by Kim Keffer 2020
22”x28” Acrylic on Canvas
Androgynous Human filled with/ created from Nature.
Booradly, synchronistic moments with this painting now, let me tell you.

If you have one of my yearly calendars then you know that “Human Nature” is the painting of the month of September. I completed the original acrylic on canvas during my stay at the Grateful Hammock in Ocala, Florida in May 2020, the beginning of the pandemic. I made a very good, valued friend there named, JT. I loved mornings by the fire listening to JT talk, sing, play his guitar. I had many significant conversations and moments with JT. One morning we spoke of our children, and brought up pictures on our phones. JT’s son is an artist and the photographs I was seeing on Instagram (@delsindepuy) intrigued me and spoke to an idea I’d had for a painting. So, I messaged and asked permission to use a specific photograph of him as reference. He said yes and the process began. I chose this photograph because of the pose, the way the human is embracing/holding the self, lovingly. I also chose it because of the beautiful structure of the face, male or female? What does that matter? That’s the question. In my opinion sex/ gender is irrelevant, we are all the same, made of the same stuff, with a beating heart inside. I love the heart in this painting, full, open, like a ripe strawberry bursting from the chest! The magic of painting Human Nature there in Florida was shared with JT as he daily watched it appear. He left before it was complete. I miss him and hope he is well.

Because of the pandemic the original “Human Nature” completed in May 2020 was not shown to the public until March 2021, 3 festivals in total, it received great feedback, tears from some, much significant conversations about humans and gender and sexuality. July 2021, I showed it at one of my favorite venues, Wisteria, in Pomeroy Ohio, at Starwood festival. There were several people very interested in the original, again it went home with me.

As September approached and I turned the calendar to see this painting. A dear friend I met at Wisteria purchased the original from my new website, saying he needed it to arrive after September 1! He now has it hanging in his home. It just tickles my heart in so many ways, how spirit puts my originals where they need to go. Also the realization that so many people are looking at Human Nature this month, via the calendar and now because the original has a new home with Sa Ad. Sa Ad said, “Kim, it’s like you see me and love me.” Yes. And his purchase of Human Nature is like he sees me and loves me too. He also said, “Really attempting to hone in on my authenticity and live unapologetically, as long as it’s in peace and love. The painting is a great reminder to never forget.”

So, September, Human Nature’s month, reminds us to never forget we are a unique expression, may we live in peace, love and unity. We’re all made of the same stardust! Embrace the self. Love the self. It really all starts there, Love is truly the greatest healer to be found.

I loved the process of creating this art and I love the people that it brought into my life.

I love that the original now lives with someone who loves it too. May the healing brought to me in the creation of Human Nature be felt by all who view it and may they too feel better and love themselves more.

People Are Talking

On Art

Your art seems as though you are a painter of a different era in time and you capture ancient souls you are amazing
Rainbow - Alabama

On Healing

I now journal regularly. I also started painting for the first time. I didn't realize I could be a painter and it is so much fun!
Mercedes - Tampa, Florida

On Creativity

I have found a love of painting. It puts me in a meditative state and found my new COVID super power is that I am a super dot painter. Who knew??
Donna - Ocala, Florida

On The Artist's Way

The Artist’s Way has been a great recovery tool for me to tap back into what creativity means to me.
Katie - Columbus, Ohio

On Guidance

Sharing some of my favorite pics. I love hiking and exploring. This turned into my next favorite hobby, photography. I never thought of exploring it until recently. I’ve only used my iPhone 8 and haven’t cared too much about quality. I’ve got a ton of amazing nature pics but abandoned places seems to catch my eye more. I joined the artist’s way experience to help develop my creativity and confidence. There’s so many talented photographers out there. I’ve never felt good enough to even try. Kim Keffer had played a major part in sparking my fire. She was always a little voice on my posts nudging me to pursue it. Thank you Kim for the encouragement 🙏🏻💕
Evie - Pennsylvania

Kim and I go way back, almost 30 years! I met Kim when I first moved to Ohio and she lived next door. She and I were “first time moms” and spent many days drinking coffee, talking about life, laughing, sometimes crying, and learning how to be moms. Kim was focused at that time on photography and owned a studio across the street. I have countless photos of my Jimmy as a baby and through his years growing up. She even photographed his senior year his high school pictures 18 years later! I will forever be grateful for the moments that she captured of him along his journey to adulthood. In addition to photographing families and children, Kim had an eye for capturing nature and abandoned structures, usually in rural areas. Her artistic photography grew over the years and represented her love for West Virginia and growing journey of self-discovery. As with many of us, Kim’s life story, ever evolving, has many twists and turns. I have witnessed her facing past traumas and expressing wide ranging emotions through photography, and then painting. Healing and growing is at times a very painful process, and I have been amazed at Kim’s resilience and ability to transform this into an expressive art form, and share her story to help others through art therapy. I have commissioned her on several projects that have deep meaning to my life. She met with me to talk about my childhood and where I grew up, and the connection I had to my grandparent’s lake house and beautiful shaded hillside of Lilies of the Valley. I now have a 3-part painting that I look at every day and think of a time in my life that seemed so much simpler, and so filled with love. Her painting of Healing Green, and a photo of the early morning light shining through is now central to a room in my house that will be “my space” and help me to center each day and focus on love and now. I most recently commissioned a stain-glass Lily of the Valley piece of art, it is in my window at work and brings me joy and peace every day while I work in a very stressful environment. I have cherished my friendship with Kim over these 30 years, and can’t wait to see what she does next. She is an inspiration.
Patti - Ohio

I love you Kim. This is so pleasant.. You are a female Bob Ross and Mr Rogers all in one!
Katie, Ohio

Wow, i was just watching bob ross last night, now you're carrying the torch! or the brush i should say.
Patricia Guterez

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