Lovers Lane

When I was a baby, my Mom was the curator of our local art museum, The Chrysler Museum of Art, in Norfolk, Virginia. She tells me that she would allow me to crawl around the gallery floors and I would stop and stare at the paintings that I liked the best. It was from this very early age that my Mom tells me she knew I had "an eye" for art. It was not just "an eye" for art, it was a love affair that continues to this day.

Every once in awhile I come across a piece of art or artist that stops me in my tracks, just like I did when I was a baby. The painting is entitled, "The Lucky Ones," and the artist is Kimia Kline.

Lovers Lane: Kimia Kline

Meet the lovely and awe inspiring, Mrs. Kimia Kline. Kimia is an award winning artist and filmmaker; whose love and passion for life is beautifully expressed through her art. She has an impressive collection of accolades, "having worked for prestigious galleries, such as Deitch Projects in New York, as well as the Philip Slein Gallery and Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in St. Louis. As a freelance artist and filmmaker, Kimia has exhibited both within the US and internationally since 2003. Her paintings have been published in art and literary magazines, featured on design blogs, and won national acclaim in various art competitions."

But what I love most about Kimia Kline is her message of universal love: "The idea of the universal, of the underlying commonalities in all cultures, is what I've come to focus on through my art. Cultural differences begin to dissipate when viewed in a universal context." How beautiful! And what an important message in today's world! Kimia's artwork is a guiding light of inspiration for change. And coincidentally, light and capturing brief moments in time, are two of Kimia's main subjects.

The Lucky Ones

Land of Milk and Honey

White Out

Skinned

Aubrey

K Squared

Kimia Kline's most personal art comes through in her film making. Her short documentary film, "Under the Staircase" provides an emotional insight into her family's personal journey. "Under the Staircase" is the underlining story of the persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran; profoundly told by example of her Grandfather's execution and Uncle's imprisonment due to their religious belief in the Baha'i faith. Before seeing Kimia's film, I was totally unaware of the Baha'i faith; but what I have learned is as compelling as the story itself. The Baha'i believe in Oneness. "The Earth is but one country and mankind its' citizens. Now is the time for humanity to live in unity. World peace is the crying need of our time. All humanity is one family."

Kimia Kline is the quintessential artist of our time. Her artwork is a beautiful representation of the hope and love we should all share for humanity. And she not only represents this ideal through her art, but through her being as a wife, daughter, and friend. She is gracious. She is kind. And in the midst of her busy schedule, she took the time to answer the Lovers Lane Questionnaire.

{You can also find Kimia on her design blog, Alkeemi. In addition, her artwork can be viewed for purchase on her online shop; where she sells her limited edition paintings, prints, cards, and books.}


1. Where do you find your daily inspiration? Inspiration comes from so many sources. The blogosphere is a pretty big one, especially Pinterest. But I also look at a lot of other painters on a daily basis and try to visit San Francisco galleries and museums regularly. 


2. What is your most treasured item in your home? My garden. We have plum and cherry trees give the most amazing fruit during the summer. 


3. What is your favorite comfort food? Mac and cheese!


4. When did you realize that you were an artist? My mom says I declared I was going to be an artist when I was 8. I have no recollection of this, but I guess art has always been something I've engaged with and enjoyed since childhood.


5. Best advice you ever received? To always see the end in the beginning.


6. Your best advice to an aspiring artist? Persevere. It's probably one of the hardest career paths because there is no actual path. Every artist has to blaze their own way, which can be really exciting and daunting at the same time. In the end there are no shortcuts and it just comes down to good old hardwork and perseverance.


7. What is one thing people would not know about you? I have the worst singing voice of all time. 


8. Are you a Lover of Vintage? Definitely!


9. Where can we find you next? In India ;) I'm moving to Chennai with my husband in 5 weeks. 


10. What is your favorite thing to wear? Summer dresses