Kimberly Deene is surrounded by inspiration.
Kimberly Deene is a self-taught mixed media artist residing in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her creations are inspired by her favorite music, the beautiful outdoors, and her self-proclaimed “inner hippie”.
From a lineage of “southern mamas”, Kimberly grew up surrounded by creativity. She wore beautifully handcrafted dresses as a child, lovingly sewn by her Mama, and lived in a home adorned with colorful, handmade curtains, pillows and bedding.
As a young girl, she was awestruck as she witnessed her mother tear fabric off an old sofa and completely transform it into something beautiful and fresh. Arts and crafts were a way of life and something that felt very natural.
Kimberly went on to have a successful thirty-year career in the insurance industry which provided a solid foundation for raising her two wonderful children. Again, art found its way into the home where the dining table (which was primarily used for coloring, painting, and science projects) had glitter and glue embedded into the wood grain.
Contemporary art using alcohol ink
Recently, after taking an early retirement from insurance, she returned to her passion of art and now works full time in her home studio and teaches online and classroom-based workshops.
Kimberly has experience in acrylics, pastels, encaustic wax and other traditional media; however, her true love is for the contemporary use of alcohol ink.
Her current series of abstract blooms showcases the vibrancy and organic flow of this medium. The centers of her flowers carefully capture the light and have a three dimensional aspect which is the common thread in this series.
Kimberley Deene’s exhibitions
Kimberly's work has been exhibited in galleries in North Carolina and Virginia, including solo shows and juried exhibitions, and has been published online.
To view more of Kimberly's work or to register for her online courses, visit Kimberly Deene's website.
“Like nature’s art, every alcohol ink design has a unique life of its own. I pour the inks onto paper and allow them to flow and mingle organically as they’re manipulated with air, gravity, or an occasional brush or instrument. I love watching each creation come to life and it brings me happiness to share my art, which is a piece of myself, with others.”
To view other artists who have been featured on my website in the last 2.5 years, please visit the Guest Artist page.
I am grateful for all the talented, productive artists and creatives from all over the world (photographer, author...) who have appeared on Louise's ARTiculations. If you are a creative and would like to be featured in this space, please contact me.
Many of them remain in my circle of friends on social media sites, and some, I have even met in person.
What is the tool that you used to draw the stems of the flowers?
Beautiful work! Love it!
Thank you so much!!
Hi!it goes without saying that your art in alcohol ink is superb.
I am trying my hand on silk scarves with silk dyes.can alcohol inks do something on silk.if yes,I will love to join your online classes.
Thanks.jagjit
Hi Jagjit, Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! I have used Alcohol Ink on silk scarves and it’s really beautiful! However, these inks aren’t as lightfast as India inks or acrylic inks because they’re dye based instead of pigment based. You can get a lovely result though and I have several that have held up well for a few years. I don’t have a course on this specific technique but if you’d like to check out my online classes on flower painting, I’ll provide the link here. Thank you again! Kimberly
https://linktr.ee/Kimberlydeene
I’m mesmerized with your painting..Wanted to ask you if I can use alchohol ink on canvas
Reena, Absolutely! The inks flow better on a non-porous surface but you can definitely use canvas. It will soak up the ink more and you’ll have to use more alcohol or blending solution but it’s doable and can give you some very beautiful results!
Thank you so much. Will give it a try
I love Kimberly’s exceptionally delicate flowers. I would like to know how she gets the fine dark edges around the petals like in the one named “Embrace”. And then how the frilly edges are done. Any instructions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hopefully Kimberly will see your questions but you may reach her at the links provided within the post. If you are on Instagram you can DM her there. Thanks for your comments.
Dottie, thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! The inks have a way of forming the dark edges and certain shapes based on how you manipulate them with air or heat. It’s a little difficult to explain in writing. If you’re ever interested in learning specific techniques, I do offer online classes. Thank you again for taking the time to leave your comments! I really appreciate your kind words!
These are absolutely beautiful, makes me want to get busy and get practicing.
I believe she gives online classes…her flowers are stunning!
I do. Thank you so much!
Lovely work
Thank you so much!
Kimberly, your work with alcohol ink is stunning! So fresh and uplifting!
Thank you so much Laura! I really appreciate that! ?
Wow what beautiful work, love how the inks work, so delicate ?❤️
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments!
Beautiful, I love the translucent quality. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your comment, which got lost for some reason. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you so very much!
Kimberly’s alcohol ink paintings leave me breathless. They are so beautiful and awe inspiring. I’m a fellow North Carolinian artist, living in Greenville NC and seeing her work using this medium, has me wanting to learn this technique. Thank you for featuring this amazing artist!
Thank you for leaving such a lovely comment. Kimberly’s flowers are wispy, delicate beauties. I hope you are able to contact her and learn her technique.
Thank you so much, Allie, for the sweet words! You just made my day! ❤️