“I draw and paint from life; frequently outdoors. My strongest work is usually made from direct observation or en plein air. I love to immerse myself in environments that have a particular historical or geographical interest, or some type of uniqueness. I am mostly known for working in black ink, but I also enjoy working in colour on both paper in watercolour and with oil paint. I am a representational artist but I am concerned with the abstract elements of visual art. I am drawn to tonal and patterned things; enjoying the mark making opportunities and challenges these aspects can present. Structures attract me as subject matter; they bring form to my to compositions. I relish exploring scale in both, the formats I work in, and by attempting to capture a sense of scale and the impact of something’s size in my work.”

This will be my third year taking part in my local Worcestershire Open Studio, which follows on from my regular participation in Hampshire's equivalent. I look forward to welcoming you to my studio with finished works, sketches and all my art stuff!

To keep up to date with my art activities please follow me on Instagram @kimwhitbyart

A BRIEF VERSION OF MY CV...

Kim Whitby BEd MA (1969- )

Education
Aberystwyth University, Master of Fine Art Degree, 2012-2014.
Winchester, King Alfred's College, Art Bachelor of Education Honours Degree, 1989-1993
Carmarthen College of Technology and Art, Foundation Art Course, 1987-1988.
Secondary and A levels, Aberaeron Comprehensive School, Ceredigion.

About
Initially an Art specialist and Early Years teacher, I returned to complete a Fine Art Masters Degree in 2014 and am now a practicing artist, regularly using my educational experience to teach fellow artists in a wonderfully varied mixture of settings.

Artists Statement
“I draw and paint from life; frequently outdoors. I am becoming increasingly aware my strongest work is usually made direct or en plein air; when I immerse myself in environments. I have a particular attraction to historical or geographical interest, or places with some type of uniqueness. I am best known for my work in black ink, but I also enjoy working in colour on both paper with watercolour, and with oil paint. I am attracted to tonal and patterned visual elements; enjoying the mark making opportunities and challenges these aspects present. Structures appeal to me as subject matter whilst I also value the formal structural elements which structures can bring to compositions. I relish exploring scale, in both the formats I work in, and by attempting to capture a sense of scale and the impact of something’s size in my work.”

Selected Exhibitions
2022 The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, display and permanent collection
2022 ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries
2022 Winner at Broadway Arts Festival Plein Air Paint-Off
2020 Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition Online
2019-2021 Lockdown online #artistsupportpledge participant and IGTV #isolationartschool contributor
2019 2022 Bath Art Fair.
2019 The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition
2019 Pintar Rapido Chelsea, London
2018 Winchester City Museum with HCT and Jane Austen’s House Museum
2018 The Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition RSMA
2018 Newbury Virtual Art Fair
2020 2018 The Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize, Oriel Ynys Môn.
2017 The Turner Contemporary, Margate, Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year Finalists and Semi Finalists (group)
2016 Aspex Gallery @ The Guildhall , Portsmouth, (solo).
2016 Winner at Pintar Rapido Chelsea Old Town Hall, London.
2015 The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, The Mall Galleries, (group)
2015 The Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize, Oriel Ynys Môn, (group).
2015 Winner at Spice Island Art Trail, Portsmouth.

Selected Awards, Residencies, Collaborations, …
2022 Broadway Arts Festival, Plein Air ‘Paint-Off’ Winner.
2019 Pintar Rapido Judge and Demonstration artist, Chelsea.
2018 The Artist Magazine, series contributor .
2017 Jane Austen’s House Museum licensing commission, with Hampshire Cultural Trust as part of the “Inspired by….” Project.
2017 Naval Head Quarters Portsmouth (NCHQ) Lunchtime Drawing drop in workshops
2016 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year Finalist and Wildcard Winner
2016 Winner Pintar Rapido
2016 National Trust for Ireland, commission.
2018 - Aspex Gallery Portsmouth (in person from 2018/19/20 and 2021 remote) Adult Generate Group (memory group and careers)

Selected Teaching (adults post MA)
(2017-) The Art Academy, Borough Market, London .
2018 The School House For Art, Ireland
(2017-) Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth.
2017-2020 St Barbe Gallery and Museum.
(2020-) West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.
Also Art Groups and Societies, Schools, Individuals and online.