Artists We Love: Kim van Vuuren

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

South African artist and designer Kim van Vuuren (aka STUDIO.KIM) talks to us about her creations and what it’s like living in beautiful Barcelona.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

What inspires you and your work?

People, architecture, nature, colour, food, music, art, sculpture, films, experiences, emotions, sexuality, memories… just about everything inspires my work. Right now, this incredible city and the talented creatives in my life fuel my work. It’s one of the best cities to be a creative in. The challenge and motivational competition inspires me to try new things, even if it means failing. Here, anything and everything is possible because of the supportive creative community that exists in Barcelona.

What mediums do you use?

For my paintings, I work with water-based acrylics on cotton canvas. I used to love working with my signature palette in SA – it’s like going to buy bread and milk – I know exactly where my colours are and how much I need. Here, it’s been a bit more complicated. I’ve had to familiarise myself with new products and learn to communicate with suppliers. There is a massive selection of acrylic brands, some with more pigment than others, some matte and some more translucent. So I had to spend quite a bit of time and money finding a palette and brand that I’m happy with. I’m still looking for the perfect shade of violet. It’s out there somewhere.

Take us through your artistic process?

I love sketching ideas and take photographs, whenever and wherever I can. I always have sketchbooks or pieces of paper in my bag or I’ll simply sketch up quick ideas using a drawing app on my iPhone. That’s the good thing about not having a car, the metro is ideal for daydreaming, people watching and planning new pieces. I think I’ll be sketching designs on napkins until I’m an old lady. When I’m happy with a design, I use Illustrator to create a digital render of the idea.

Colour is very important to me. I am always looking for new colour palettes and combinations of contrasting colours.  I take hundreds of photos every week of unique and sometimes terrible colours that I find while walking around the city.  Sometimes a single colour can inspire a new piece. If I’m inspired by a colour or palette, the design seems less important. Having a graphic design background also helps me to determine what would work in a space (commercial or private). At the end of the day, I’m creating a product for people to purchase. Once I’m happy with the design and palette I go into painting mode. Headphones on, Grimes or A$AP Rocky blasting. I paint until my back starts aching – sometimes for eight hours a day – depending on my mood and how many pieces I need to get done. I love the process. It is the most fulfilling part of my life right now.

Are there any local artists on your radar at the moment?

I appreciate the work of so many different artists, product designers, fashion designers, art directors, animators, musicians, photographers and culinary artists. Right now, I’ve definitely been focusing more on my new local art and design scene here in Barcelona. However, in SA, I’ll always follow the work of Michael Taylor, Olivié Keck and Morné Visagie.  Their understanding and application of colour is superb.

What feelings are you trying to evoke through your work?

To be honest, at first I was painting for myself. I wasn’t too concerned about what people thought about my work. I was just messing around and trying new things. It was soon after I posted my first rough painting that I realised I had finally found something I was truly passionate about and something that people enjoyed as well. This was the first time I felt that I had a real connection with an audience. I started getting commissions and soon my Instagram account morphed into an artist’s profile. For me, it’s really simple – I just want people to be excited and feel inspired when they see my work.

Any exciting plans for the future?

For now, I am just taking each day as it comes. My ambition for 2019 is to really make my mark in Barcelona. This year I have already had my first solo exhibition in Barcelona and I am hoping to collaborate with more studios and product designers in the future. Right now, I’m busy working on two large commissions for clients in France and Australia. I would also like to continue working with South African clients and brands. I have been working with a few product designers and brands in CT over the past two months. Follow my Instagram page to see what I’m working on. I will also be launching my online print store before the end of the year. Just in time for Christmas.

Follow Kim on Instagram here and see more of her work on Behance.