10 Questions with Kim Ariana

Kim Ariana is an artist, photographer, digital designer, painter, performer, singer, and actress who tries to live every day in a creative way. Her biggest inspiration is her attempt to find beauty in otherwise mundane things, and her art and photography are typically built around that driving concept. While doing theatre professionally, she also owns her own store called Kim Ariana Art Shop, where she sells crafts, photo prints, paintings, recycled art, and various other creations, all made by her own hand. 

etsy.com/shop/KimArianaArt | @kimmya_art

INTERVIEW

First of all, can you tell us about your journey as an artist? How did you get started in so many different creative fields?

I started creating when I was very young, drawing wherever I could and making crafts in school; I even got into loom weaving at around 10 years old. From then on, I tried every form of art throughout my life, creating and crafting with anything I could get my hands on. I started taking certain mediums more seriously, like photography at 13, painting at 18, and digital design at 21. But it wasn’t until I was 24 that I actually started selling my art and creating my own business online. 

What inspired you to open your own store, Kim Ariana Art Shop, and how does it reflect your artistic identity?

In the summer of 2023, my friend invited me to perform at a pride event they were hosting, as I’m also a singer and a poet. I asked if I could actually sell some art instead, as I’ve never officially ended before, and they said yes. Before this, I had uploaded some art to websites but never actually sold my art in person, so I didn’t think I would sell anything at all. I ended up selling over 25 photographs and seven paintings, and I was mind-blown. It was the first time in my life that I realized my art could speak to others the way it speaks to me, and from then on, I created Kim Ariana Art Shop to share my creations with the world. 

You work across various mediums like photography, painting, performance, and digital design. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular idea?

This is an amazing question. Typically, the idea comes to me with the medium in mind. For example, if I’m hurting from events in my life and feel the need to release that plethora of energy, I usually turn to poetry or song because I have a lot to convey. Another example would be the collages I make, which are usually inspired by the items I wish to use to make the collage, and the message develops as the art is made. 

Can you describe your creative process? How do you go from the first idea to the final outcome?

It really depends on the art itself. Some ideas take a lot of preparation, such as gathering materials and organizing them to find the best way to convey the idea I have. Other forms, however, such as painting and photography, tend to be much more in the spur of the moment, and I follow the momentum and usually finish within the day. 

Finding beauty in the mundane is a central theme in your work. What draws you to this concept, and how do you explore it in your different art forms?

I think I always grew up being told to “appreciate the little things,” and that concept has stayed at the forefront of my mind throughout my artistic journey. I love photographing things that people walk by every day or would otherwise ignore and capturing them in a way that makes them stop and think. I also love recycling thrifted or thrown-away items into crafts, collages, or paintings for the same reason  I think it’s also a metaphor for how we can live our lives in a more beautiful way, keeping in mind that something bad or boring can be interesting or a blessing in disguise just by shifting the perspective. 

Are there any recurring motifs or symbols in your work that hold special meaning for you?

In my photography, I often include the sun in some way. I think it’s less of an intentional inclusion and more what I gravitate towards. I love light, sunsets, and bright skies, so I think that comes across in my photography because I feel the most inspired on a day with a beautiful sky. 

How do you balance your time and energy between all the different creative projects and fields you’re involved in?

I wish I knew. Between working a day job, acting, singing, painting, digital art, and more, I mostly end up tired with not enough hours left in the day. I’m still in the process of trying to find the right balance, but I’m lucky that I’m at a time in my life where I don’t have too many outside responsibilities aside from my artistic pursuits. So, I take it day by day, balance work with rehearsals, and dedicate any extra time to my art. 

What role does performing, singing, and acting play in your overall creative expression? How do they influence your visual art?

I believe both my performing and visual art go hand in hand, as they provide separate outlets for me to express myself.Where my physical art has limits, my performing arts make up for it, and vice versa. I often sing and listen to music as I create art, as it occupies that part of my brain that usually won’t allow me to focus. On the flip side, learning new techniques for performing inspires me to try new techniques in my physical art. 

Do you have any upcoming projects or ideas that you’re particularly excited about?

I am very excited about a play I’m honored to be cast in, which is coming up on October 17th, called Dirty Legal Secrets. I’ve been working on it for a couple of months, and I’m also very proud of the development of my newest digital art pursuit, which is the creation of my own fonts, which are now being sold on MyFonts.com. Finally, I’m also in the process of creating my own book of poetry, compiling written works I’ve created over the years!

Looking ahead, how do you see your work evolving? Are there any new creative avenues you’re interested in exploring?

I’m always interested to see what’s to come in the future and constantly on the lookout for new mediums to explore. I have many ideas for physical and digital art, and I’m hoping that the future holds more theatrical roles for me, as that is my ultimate goal. I believe we are all forever evolving, and I can’t wait to see how my art evolves with me.  

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.