Kimberly Walton is a contemporary painter living in Laredo, TX. She is a native of South Carolina and received her BFA from Winthrop University in 1995. Walton moved to Laredo in 2003, and has continued her career as a professional artist with a very active arts-filled life in South Texas.

Kimberly Walton has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in the Carolina’s and throughout Texas. She has a history of selling her work to both the private and corporate audience. Walton specializes in large abstracted gesture and geometric painting that have an emphasis on mark making, use of color and design. Her latest body of work is a collection of expressive acrylic paintings that are inspired from the word moxie. Walton incorporates personal iconography to visually translate interpretations of the word with an individual style.

Her work has been described as “Unusual control of composition, unique in its very charged design, with strong color emphasis.”

As an educator, Kimberly Walton is involved with a variety of art programs. For six years, she taught foundation studio art classes: painting, drawing and design as well as an art and children lecture class at Texas A&M International University. Walton has created several children’s art programs throughout the region that encourage community outreach and local partnerships. Additionally, she conducts children, adult and teacher art workshops at numerous school districts and art organizations across South Texas.

Kimberly Walton has been recognized for her involvement in community based art programs with non-profit organizations and other art venues. In 2004, she received an honorarium as a guest artist/art educator to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, TX. Walton also served as co-grant writer and lead artist for an Encinal, TX community grant-based art program featured in the 2005 National Endowment for the Arts Annual Report.

 

The Moxie Files

My most recent series, is a collection of abstract gesture paintings on paper and canvas that are created spontaneously. I aim to create expressive works that are not labored or over-analyzed in the studio. I am intrigued by the word moxie, and investigate its meaning by exploring technique and media. Additionally, I incorporate personal iconography to visually document the meaning with an individual style. By incorporating the idea of moxie, I am forced to explore more options in my work. I like so many others, need more moxie.

Altered Visions: Patriots, Egos and Saints

Color, design and personal iconography are all important in my work. My paintings are abstract in style. However, I give visual clues with supportive color, shape, and image choices to guide the viewer through the composition and give some indication as to what each painting represents. I prefer not to paint everything as it appears. This allows the viewer to have their own interpretation of each piece. Over the years, I have developed my own personal symbols to visually document experiences and people that influence, motivate and inspire me.

Three central ideas that surface in my work are military or patriotic themes: patriots, complex/unique people or situations: egos, and spiritual influences: saints. I start with words or phrases to influence my idea for a painting. Ideas are developed into small collages or quick drawings. I often ‘overload’ my composition, so this process is as much about simplifying as it is about adding elements. I often struggle with how literal I want to be with an idea. This is evident in this body of work; as some paintings have very recognizable objects and others do not. The goal of my work is to offer the viewer an exciting journey thru my altered visions.

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