We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly K. Mizrahi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
When experiencing a creative block it is usually because I’m thinking too much. My best work comes out when I stop thinking, which is nearly impossible to do. It helps to remind myself to stop thinking. Sometimes I write “don’t think” in paint on the canvas before I begin painting. When I still can’t get out of my head, it helps to get into someone else’s. Sometimes I listen to books or podcasts while painting. My brain is listening to a story or learning something interesting, which allows my creativity to flourish without my brain chiming in. If a book isn’t doing it, I put on music. I prefer to paint to music, but I try to listen only when I feel like I’m in a flow state. Otherwise, if I’m getting frustrated with a creative block, I worry that my brain will associate feelings of frustration with songs I love… I’m extremely mindful about being mindless.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about your art before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In my art, I bring focus to raw aspects of feminine beauty. I am deeply moved by women who confidently allow their bodies to be seen. The world makes it very difficult for anyone to reveal their true self, even more so for women. When I see women actively working against the confines of society, I find that incredibly beautiful.
The figures in my pieces are narratives unfolding, each pose or angle carefully selected to challenge conventional norms. The captured moments showcase instances where strength is found in the courage to be vulnerable. In each piece, a pose or angle that would typically be considered unflattering or uncomfortable is transformed into a visual proclamation of power.
My work encourages viewers to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the female experience—one that is powerful, unearthing, and incredibly uncomfortable.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One quality is to allow myself to be a little selfish. That sounds bad, but it’s the truth. I used to hold back in fear of upsetting others or disappointing others, but when I learned to do things for myself regardless of what others may think is when my art truly began to flourish. The second is learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and the third is knowing that there’s a lot that I don’t know. There’s always room to develop more skills and learn from the world around us, even if it doesn’t always feel comfortable or familiar. I’m not an expert in this, but I constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It’s never easy, but it becomes a little less scary every time.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. This book helped me understand how to let go of insecurities as an artist and let myself create without judgment. It reminds me to keep my eyes open to the world and live in a way that invites inspiration. One of my favorite lessons is accepting that not everything I create will be my best work, and that is part of the process. When experiencing a creative block, I have to work through it even if everything I make during this time feels like garbage. I know now that in doing this, in continuing to create, I will eventually make my way to my best work. This concept has brought out so much gratitude for the process, whereas in the past I’d felt a lot of resentment towards it.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.artbykimk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbykimk/
Image Credits
Jeremy Raley
