I have always been one to set 'high creative goals' for my life. I know what I love to do. I believe in manifesting. I believe one has a 'creative spirit' dying to come out. I always think positive. I 'Create Art'. I 'Dream in Color'. I dwell on a 'Positive Spirit'. I love bringing out ones creative abilities.... I love to paint.... I am am artist~~ I am a designer. I manifest.
I have no fears of crowds. I can teach to one individual in a private lesson, small groups...or a huge crowd. love hearing, "I have never painted in my life"....I love to show any one, 'They can paint!!". I love seeing their faces change during a class from their 'fear of paintingface'....to a huge smile, saying, "I can not believe I actually painted!! I am going to hang my painting in my home." I also hear, "I am hanging my painting in my office" or "I am going to give my painting to my mom" or 'a friend'.I see the biggest and brightest smiles. My students are glowing. We have fun and they are happy. So am I. I know then, that my student has opened up another side of their brain, their creative self has been born~ A place within their heads and hearts....a sacred creative space that they never touched on before!! This makes me feel 'whole'. It makes me feel incredibly good. This is where I can actually feel my self shine.....I can not turn that shine off, gleaming.
As a small child I was blessed with an incredible creative mother. I was also blessed with a great father, who let me 'be me'. My brother and sister would bring their friends over and say, "Kim, show them your paintings." I would,,,,and no one believed I painted them. "How old are you?" They would ask. I was artistically gifted.
When I entered my high school, Thornridge H.S, in the south suburbs of Chicago, I already knew I wanted to take art classes. I took a design and painting class in my freshman year. My design teacher was Jan Nemitz. My drawing & painting teacher was Karen DePirro. I am in touch wit both of them to this day. They saw my art ability and entered my work in 'The National Scholastic's Art Society Contests.' I won every one of the contests and received the highest art & design awards for myself and Thornridge H.S. I kept an 'A' average in all my classes. I never missed a day of high school. I loved school. I was on my way manifesting, winning my goal, a full 4 year scholarship to SAIC, one of the best art colleges in the world....'The School of the Art Institute of Chicago'. After I completed 2 years at Thornton Community College, receiving my AA degree, Associates in Arts degree, I took one year off, saving money to move to Chicago's Gold Coast, working and traveling as a make-up artist for Revlon. I also worked on my art portfolio and applied at SAIC.
I won my 4 year scholarship at SAIC, based on my grades, 3 interviews in person and my art portfolio. A dream come true....!!! My hard work goal was recognized!! The universe heard me.
I moved to the Chicago Gold Coast area, into the John Hancock building. I attended SAIC for 5 more years. I continued to work as a part time make-up artist while in college, working with many Chicago photographers. SAIC is attached to the Art Institute Museum of Chicago. One of the best art museums in the world. For 5 years full time, I walked through the museum to get to my classes daily. My world was surrounded by incredible artist and teachers, art history and the most prestigous artist through out the centuries. I studied art history, painting, drawing, costume design, fabric painting.... my last 3 years mainly studying fashion, accessory design and pattern making, plus required classes like astronomy, film and music history.
Their fashion department was a 3 year course. In my 2nd year of fashion, there was an opening to be the assistant to the head of the SAIC fashion department, Leah Bowman. I was chosen to be her assistant. I was incredibly happy!! I learned so much from Leah, who took me under her colorful fashion wings...and the fashion world. I met exclusive buyers for Henri Bendel's, Nordstoms, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, designers Warsha Patel, Betsey Johnson, Zhandra Rhodes and Bob Mackie. I started to live and breathe fashion. I learned to create fashion shows, dress models, do fashion illustration, set up & direct photo shoots, choose the right fabrics, create pattern designs, construct fabrics and technical sewing....you name it!! ......I was a workaholic, dedicated and blessed.
I designed from my favorite interests. Inspired, I studied the Renaissance periods and French painters. I fell in love with artist 'Henri Rousseau'. I identified with his work as if it was from a past life of mine. Looking at his paintings, Henri, would talk spiritually to me. I picked up his technique. I studied any thing I could find on his life and paintings. Besides studying his life's work ....I also studied the life's of Michael Angelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, Picasso, Andy Warhol, Renoir, Monet, Chagall.....and so many others. I was in front of all their work daily!! I learned more about history of our world from art history and painter's, than my entire years in grade school and high school. I was also became involved in art performances.
After I graduated from SAIC with my BFA, Bachelor Degree in Fine Art, I moved to San Francisco shortly....and found myself having the best creative time of my life!! Out of the bluest skies, I starting a jewlery design company that fell from the heavens, right in my lap. All I did was create my pieces and wear them. Walking in to shops, the store owners or buyer noticed me and asked if i was the designer. I said, 'Yes'. They placed orders on the spot. They had no clue I did not have a studio and that I just graduated. I took the orders and began making my deigns and delivering them from my home. Soon, I need supplies. My business began....I traveled next to New York. I hired accessory representatives in 7 states. before I knew it, 6 months later, my fashion jewlery designs were on the map. I became B'Yonda Fashion & Jewelry Designs. A fashion forward glitzy, accessory design company.... designing for many celebrities and Miss America Pageants. Then movies too. My designs were being sold nationwide, in boutiques and major department stores. All was meant to be~
Later in my life....and the loss of my dad and mom, I desired to move from Chicago to Las Vegas. I wanted a change in my life. Over the years her in Las Vegas, aplace I LOVE... I met many wonderful people. Manifested again, my dreams and goals came true......to teach art in a FUN creative environment. Loving wines, I partnered with Kenny Lee of Lee's Liquors. Creative Spirits of Las Vegas was born.....my new company.
Come join my 'Creative Spirit' ....to do what you LOVE!! Come paint with me and have FUN, to bring out your artistic self, no matter what it may be. Realize, no matter what your age is, you are a 'Creative Spirit'....manifest all you want and desire to be in this life time~~~Come drink, paint, sing, dance....let me show you how to color your world. Let me show you how to paint~