We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kim Eshelman. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Kim, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
I’ve been studying contemporary Russian Impressionists for some time. The way they represent light is so beautiful and masterful. Their high key palettes are particularly fascinating to me, which is something I personally find quite challenging. Vitaly Makarov, Olga Abramov, Alexey Savchenko, Pavel Shumov are a few.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a contemporary American artist working predominately in soft pastel. Being an explorer at heart I love trying new methods of applying pigment to surface. There are so much ways to create an underpainting for a pastel, whether it be incorporating wet pigment such as gouache, or perhaps laying down a large notan with sumi ink – the possibilities are enormous. I will often work directly as well, focusing the drawing aspect of the medium. I’m constantly playing and learning.
The immediacy of using dry pigment and it’s ability to combine the aesthetics of drawing into my work. I love slashing in hatch marks or allowing the underlying armature to become part of the finished painting. Having the pigment directly in hand removes a layer of distance between myself and the painting.”
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was driving home from yoga one day and saw a crow sitting on the wall of an industrial building. In a flash I experienced the moment without putting labels on anything – the crow, the building, everything just merged into a nameless reality. It was an incredibly peaceful, beautiful experience.
I’ve had several of these moments in my life and they help me to understand that all of our labels help us navigate though our world but they are simply constructs of our imagination. Being able to step out of the construct helps me gain a deeper understanding of who I am.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me compassion. Success is wonderful of course, but it doesn’t bring you closer to others like suffering can. In this way suffering is a gift, as difficult as it is to experience. It gives me a deeper understanding of myself and my connection to others.
Ram Dass once said “I don’t wish you the stroke, but I wish you the grace of the stroke”. This has always deeply resonated with me and my feelings about suffering.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
That life continues after death. I’ve had multiple experiences that have shown me this is true. This life is actually the illusion and our soul is infinite. It’s something everyone will have to find out for themselves.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Being in nature has always been where I feel most peaceful. I’m so grateful to have this little five acres of property out in the country – it gives me a place to go when I’m feeling stressed. I can walk out of my studio door and look at the field and forest, take a deep breath, and feel calm again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimeshelman.com
- Instagram: @kim_eshelman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimeshelmanfineart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kimeshelman
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